Broadcast Journalist Doe Benjamin Kofi Lawson says Ghanaian youth can unlock greater personal and professional success by strengthening their emotional intelligence. He believes understanding emotions is essential in a time where communication is constant and pressure is high.
According to him, emotional intelligence goes beyond a popular buzzword. It is the practical ability to understand our feelings and use them to guide how we think, interact and respond to situations.
He explains emotional intelligence through four main areas:
Self-awareness
Recognising emotions as they arise and understanding what triggers them. Lawson notes that when young people know their strengths, limitations and emotional triggers, they respond better and make wiser choices.
Self-management
He encourages the youth to learn how to stay calm under stress and adapt when faced with challenges. Emotional intelligence, he says, does not require people to hide their feelings but to express them in a responsible way.
Social awareness
Lawson highlights empathy as an important skill for building healthy relationships. Understanding how others feel creates trust and strengthens communication.
Relationship management
With a good understanding of themselves and others, young people can handle conflicts better, work well in groups and build strong networks that support growth.
A call to the youth
The journalist clears up common misconceptions, stressing that emotional intelligence is not about being pleasant at all times or avoiding difficult conversations. Instead, it helps individuals make thoughtful emotional decisions that benefit both themselves and others.
Lawson believes emotional intelligence can make a real difference in the lives of Ghanaian youth. It can help them:
- Stay focused during challenges
- Solve problems more effectively
- Maintain better relationships
- Adjust quickly to change
- Succeed in leadership roles
He urges young people to take emotional growth seriously, as it remains a lifelong skill with immediate rewards. Strengthening emotional intelligence, he says, will help the youth shape a better future for themselves and the country.
Story by Sheila Otuo – Baffour