Young Phil Bertino, Africa’s only autistic cyclist, is set to elevate his autism awareness campaign with an ambitious ride from Accra to Tamale.
The ride, part of his 2025 Autism Awareness through Cycling campaign, would take place from Wednesday, April 2 to Friday, April 4.
This is the latest chapter in a six-year journey aimed at raising awareness about autism in Ghana and across the continent.
The 18-year-old cyclist would be joined by fellow professional riders to take on the challenging 600+ km route, with the team aiming to spark conversations and engage communities along the way.
The initiative, dubbed Empowering Autism through Action, encourages society to better understand and support children with autism.
Under the auspices of the Liztino Center for Children with Special Needs, the ride will begin at the Accra Sports Stadium, where organizers will engage the public before starting the journey.
The cyclists would make their way from Accra to Nkawkaw, then to Konongo, with a stop in Kumasi before continuing their trek northward to Tamale, where they are expected to arrive by Friday.
Ahead of the campaign, Mrs. Angel Bertino, the founder of the Liztino Center and Young Phil’s mother, explained the motivation behind this year’s ride.
She highlighted the success of previous campaigns, which have spanned various regions of Ghana, including the Central, Eastern, Volta, and Western regions.
This year, they aim to expand their reach to Ashanti and Northern regions to further raise awareness and encourage more societal support for autistic children.
“There’s still a misconception that autistic children are a burden to society. “But when supported, they can live independently and excel in whatever they do,”Mrs Bertino said.
The campaign has garnered positive feedback in previous years, with many parents sharing stories of their children returning to school, pursuing entrepreneurial skills, and becoming more integrated into society.
These successes, Mrs. Bertino said, underscore the importance of continued support and understanding.
“This is going to be the longest and most challenging journey yet,” she noted, urging individuals and corporate entities to support the cause.
She particularly called on philanthropist Ibrahim Mahama and other businesses to get involved.
The Liztino Center and the campaign organizers expressed deep gratitude for past sponsors and media partners, recognizing their role in spreading awareness and fostering a better understanding of autism and disability in Ghana.
