Accra: The Liztino Centre for Children with Special Needs, led by autistic advocate Young Phil Bertino, organized an Autism Awareness Event at St. Peter's Senior High School. This initiative was part of the activities leading up to this year's World Autism Day, observed annually on April 2.
According to Ghana News Agency, the event marked the sixth edition of the Autism Awareness Month celebration, focusing on promoting acceptance, support, and access to quality education for children with special needs. A statement released in Accra noted that the occasion also coincided with Young Phil Bertino's 19th birthday, highlighting his achievements as Africa's only known autistic cyclist, as well as a pianist, chef, swimmer, and tennis player.
Mrs. Angel Bertino, CEO of the Liztino Centre, called on the government to prioritize inclusive education policies in Ghana. She emphasized the importance of deploying adequately trained teachers to support children with special needs effectively and highlighted the underutilization of qualified teachers in roles that do not maximize their impact.
Mrs. Bertino encouraged students to support their peers with special needs to facilitate a comfortable and inclusive learning environment. She educated participants about autism, clarifying that it is not contagious and that interacting with autistic individuals poses no risk. She urged everyone to get involved in supporting people with special needs, particularly as the world observes World Autism Day.
Young Phil Bertino expressed gratitude to the school for their acceptance and encouraged parents to show greater love and support for their autistic children. He emphasized that with the right support, children with autism could achieve independence, pursue education, gain employment, and contribute to society. He also entertained the audience with piano renditions of Ghanaian songs, including the national anthem.
Mrs. Gifty Otoo, a member of the school's management, praised the event as both educational and inspiring. She highlighted the school's efforts to support students with special needs, noting their successful integration and performance. Mrs. Otoo advocated for continued inclusiveness to ensure that all children feel comfortable and can learn effectively.