The fifth edition of the Emotional Intelligence Africa Summit has been held at the Center for National Culture, Cape Coast, in the Central Region.
This summit brought together subject matter experts to share and advance the importance of emotional intelligence on the continent and beyond. This powerful community learning event; has the primary objective of creating understanding of the importance of “building Emotional Capital in Africa”. The day is dedicated to exploring emotional intelligence within the community, education and workplace and political landscape.
The theme for this year’s summit was “Safeguarding the Next Generation, The Role of Emotional Intelligence. The main speakers were Mr. Bernard Joe Appeah, A Christian Speaker, Teacher and a Consultant, Mr. Bernard Joe Appeah spoke on integrity as Key Arsenal to Safeguarding the next generation and highlighted the six facets of integrity namely; truth, trust, authenticity, dignity, honour and influence. He further emphasized the important of integrity and its relevance to safeguard the next generation.
The next speaker was Apostle Thomas Kusi-Appiah, a Counselor and a Security Intelligence Analyst who took the participants through the various temperaments and urged participants to appreciate and understand other people’s temperaments so we all can co-exist in a peaceful manner in our relationships.
The host of the summit, Mr. James Kwesi Addison took participant through emotional intelligence first aid and provided them with the basic toolkits in emotions so as to be able to deal with first hand emotional emergencies so that emotions will aid them rather than working against them.
The summit was chaired by Daasebre Kwebu Ewusi VII, Omanhen Abeadzi Traditional Area with who was represented by Nana Obokese Ampah I the Apagyahen of Asebu Traditional Area and the Regent of Moree with Madam Eva Gyina Bediako as the Vice-Chairwoman.
The learning event saw three distinguished personalities being honoured for their excellent leadership skills and contributions to the development of Ghana in various spheres, namely; Reverend Professor Emmanuel Addo-Obeng, former Vice Chancellor, University of Cape Coast and the Immediate past president of Presbyterian University, Ghana, Emeritus Professor.
Apostle Kwadwo Safo kantanka, founder of Kristo Asafo Mission and Chairman of Kantanka group, whose citation of honour was received on his behalf by Akwasi Ofori, the Public Relations Officer, Kantaka Group and Lawyer Kwadwo Safo Kantanka the Deputy General, Administration Kristo Asafo Mission and Osabarima Otsibu VII, the Omanhen of Enyan Denkyira Traditional Area. The recipients took turns to express their profound gratitude to the Addison International Center for Emotional Intelligence the orgainsers of the event.
The PRO of Kantanka Group Mr.Akwasi Ofori, on behalf of the Apostle Ing. Dr. Kwadwo Safo Kantanka admonished the youth to have confidence in themselves and believe that God has given them all they require to be successful in life. Osabarima Otsibu VII, the Omanhen of Enyan Denkyira Traditional Area was grateful to Addison International and urged the participants to take what they have learnt at the summit seriously, especially empathy so they can live with others wherever they found themselves in peace.
Reverend Professor Emmanuel Addo-Obeng, on the other hand bemoaned the current attitude of Ghanaians that they have love for themselves first, their political party second, their religious denomination third and Ghana last. To him this has to change and he believes that summit like these are the best forum to inculcate in the youth the love for mother Ghana and finally commended the orgainsers and the speakers for good work done.
Community audiences were over one thousand and were drawn from traditional leadership, political, academic, faith-based, Non-governmental Organisations, Government Agencies, Civil Societies, students from Senior High Schools, Vocational and Technical schools, and the Universities.
Speaking to the media after the summit, the Special Guest of Honour, Hon. Kwamena Minta Nyarku, the Member of Parliament for Cape Coast North reiterated the importance of emotional intelligence saying, emotional intelligence is what make the difference between achievers and non-achievers and hinted of his intention to collaborate with the Addison International Center for Emotional intelligence, the organisers of the summit to train members of his constituency including but not limited to teachers, doctors and nurses, security agencies, drivers, youth, parents etc.
The host of the summit, James Kwesi Addison, Ghana’s first internationally qualified emotional intelligence master coach and CEO of Addison International, was happy that the speakers had provided unique insights about the importance of emotional intelligence in our lives and believes that participants had unpacked some practical elements to use within their lives.
