Three distinguished Ghanaians have been honoured by the Addison International Centre for Emotional Intelligence(AICEI) for their various contributions to national development.
They are Reverend Professor Emmanuel Addo-Obeng, a former Vice Chancellor, University of Cape Coast and the immediate past President of the Presbyterian University Ghana; Emeritus Professor Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka, founder of Kristo Asafo Mission and Chairman of Kantanka Group; and Osabarima Otsibu VII, Omanhen of Enyan Denkyira Traditional Area in the Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam District.
They were presented with citations at the fifth edition of the annual Emotional Intelligence Africa Summit, held at the weekend at the Centre for National Culture, Cape Coast.
Prof. Addo-Obeng and Osabarima Otsibu took their citations in person while that of Apostle Safo was jointly received on his behalf by Mr Akwasi Ofori, the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Kantanka Group and Mr Kwadwo Safo Kantanka, a lawyer and Deputy-General, Administration, of Kristo Asafo Mission.
The honorees and the PRO took turns to express their gratitude to the AICEI, the orgainsers of the summit that brings together subject matter experts to share views to advance the need for emotional intelligence in everyday life.
While Mr Ofori admonished the youth to believe that God has given them all they require to be successful in life, Osabarima Otsibu urged the summit participants “to take what you have learnt seriously, so you can live with others peaceably”.
For his part, Rev. Prof. Addo-Obeng expressed concern about attitude of Ghanaians loving themselves first, followed by all other things like their political parties and placing country last.
“We need to change this attitude so we can inculcate in the youth the love for mother Ghana,”he said.
He commended the AICEI for organising such community learning event, emphasising the importance of emotional intelligence within the community, the educational environment, the workplace and the political landscape.
The summit, on the theme for ‘Safeguarding the next generation: the role of emotional intelligence’, was chaired by Nana Obokese Ampah I, the Apagyahen of Asebu Traditional Area and the Regent of Moree, on behalf of Daasebre Kwebu Ewusi VII, Omanhenof Abeadzi Traditional Area and former member of Council of State, assisted by Madam Eva Gyina Bediako, Director of Education in charge of Ghana Education Staff Development Institute, as the Vice-Chairwoman.
The main speakers at the summit were Mr Bernard Joe Appeah, a Christian Speaker, Teacher and Consultant; Apostle Thomas Kusi-Appiah, a Counsellor and Security Intelligence Analyst; Minister Thecia Jenkins Kwarteng, an Emotional Intelligence Practitioner based in USA, who spoke by Zoom; and the host, the Chief Executive Officer of AICEI and Ghana’s first Emotional Intelligence Coach, Mr James Kwesi Addison.
The Special Guest of Honour, Mr Kwamena Minta Nyarko, the Member of Parliament for Cape Coast North, reiterated the importance of emotional intelligence as “what makes the difference between achievers and non-achievers”.
By Times Reporter
