Too many 'emotional babies' in politics, leadership – Budu Koomson

Emotional babies have shrouded the leadership system of Ghana and there is the urgent need to train our politicians and other leaders in various fields in emotional intelligence to reflect some level of maturity in their utterances particularly and leadership on the whole, retired Army Chief, Captain Budu Koomson has said.

Speaking on the back of the assassination of Tiger Eye group’s undercover journalist, Ahmed Hussein-Suale, Mr. Koomson noted with worry the situation where prominent figures in political and other influential spheres emerge on some platforms to speak irresponsibly, blurting out their emotional state inconsiderate of its repercussions or implications on the country or its citizens.

The definition of maturity he says, has absolutely nothing to do with one’s position or influence; rather he says, how one is able to manage their sentiments with maturity and intelligence depicts their level of growth and advancement.

“We have to be careful when we are in public positions, leadership positions, with people looking up to us, what we say. It is a sign of maturity. The essence of emotional intelligence is almost often not paid any attention in Ghana”, he said while speaking on Citi TV’s ‘Big Issue’ Saturday. Adding; “We have emotional babies in very big positions in Ghana”.

“They can’t control their anger, their passion, their fingers from going into public things, they can’t control their appetite for personal acknowledgement at the expense of the people, it’s all over the place. It’s time we start with the leadership in Ghana, we start being conscious of that factor. We have to be emotionally intelligent, it has nothing to do with your IQ or doctorate degrees, if you are a thief and we give you the cassock, you will steal the wine”, he said.

Citing how such irresponsible utterances have sparked violence in some countries, he emphasized the importance of inculcating emotional intelligence in the Ghanaian system beginning with various occupants of leadership positions nationwide. This he says will avoid generating chaos or leading to unfortunate incidents like that which happened with the late Ahmed Suale.

"I will put a lot of weight on it, not just about Kennedy Agyapong but with everyone in a leadership position, influence position, public position where you have followers or a following. You have to be conscious and responsible about your utterances. We have Rwanda, started by people inciting people, we had Ivory Coast imploded by people inciting people, when we go on Ghana here, our political platforms, why is it that we have an upsurge in violence each time there’s elections? Because on the platform, emotions are high and we insight them. If you get to a platform which when you talk, you find out that the people are hanging on to each word you say, you will realise that you have power, 90% of the time, when you tell them to go and do something, they will do and overdo it”, he stated.



Background

The country has been hit in recent times by several bizarre deaths of some prominent persons. The death of Mankralo [caretaker chief] of Prampram, Nene Atsure Benta III, in his car in December, the stabbing of Head Pastor of the Central Assemblies of God Church at Tema Community Four, Rev Dr David in his office, the shooting of Manager of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), Joseph Miigaai Jakperuk by unknown assailants in the East Mamprusi District of the Northern Region, the murder of Ghana Ports and Habors Authority Public Relations Manager, Josephine Asante in her room and most recently, the assassination of Tiger Eye PI member, Ahmed Hussein-Suale in his car.

Following these deaths, Ghanaians and several civil service organisations have called on the nation’s security agencies, the IGP and government to intervene to curb the upsurge in these occurrences.

Some Ghanaians have also urged Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong to be careful about his utterances as many believe his exposure of Ahmed’s identity on national television made him vulnerable.