AKWATIA MP vs. MIRACLE ABOAGYE: A Clear Case of Missing Assertive Communication & Emotional Intelligence

In modern European history, a concept known as “pragmatic sanction” exists. A pragmatic sanction was a sovereign decree issued by an emperor or king to resolve dynastic, ecclesiastical (clerical), and legal matters. To put it in perspective, it is the birthright of the first-born child of a king to inherit the throne. The most famous pragmatic sanction was issued by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI on April 19, 1713, which later witnessed the unilateral primogeniture of Maria Theresa as the heiress presumptive (successor) of the Habsburg dynasty in 1740. When individuals are invited in the panel discussion on important radio discussion like “Newsfile”, it does not mean they have birthright to wisdom and that their viewers must wily-nilly listened to whatever nonsense they espoused. The conduct of Akwatia MP; Benard Bediako Baidoo and Denis Aboagye, the arrogant communication director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), was a far cry from maturity. The duo not only disrespected their viewers, but their behavior was bereft of assertive communication and emotional intelligence.

Assertive communication is the act of expressing one’s opinion, feelings, and needs in a calm, direct, and respectful manner, taking into consideration the rights and respect of others. Being assertive is a core communication skill. Assertiveness can help individuals express themselves effectively and stand up for their point of view. It can also help boost individuals’ self-esteem and earn others' respect. Assertiveness can help with stress management. Assertiveness in communication creates a win-win situation for everyone. One important characteristic of assertive communication is the “I statement” or “I language”. For example, instead of Miracle Aboagye saying to Bernard Bediako, “You are an empty lawyer (aggressive communication),” he could have leveraged “I language.” That is: “Bernard, I don’t think a lawyer must argue in that tangent.” Bernard could have changed his aggressive communication, “A thief like you,” to Dennis, “I disagree with your point.” The writer does not think multimedia invited the duo to insult themselves to the public.

In political communication, non-verbal communication is very important. Although the writer is not an NPP member (an ardent Nkrumahist like the writer cannot mingle with Danquah-Busia brigands and buccaneers), he haggled to catch the drift as to why Kojo Oppong Nkrumah and Amin Adams, Ph.D., are not leading the largest opposition party in parliament. Miracle’s posture and body language cannot win votes. Akosua Manu’s personality and body language can attract votes to the loser, Dr. Bawumiah. Politicians must utilize assertive communication in public. Traditional chiefs, Catholic Bishops, Pastors, diplomats, Imams, professors, military generals, and the police top echelons watch Newsfiles. The open confrontation between Dennis and Bernard must be a source of consternation to all and Sandry.

Emotional intelligence, referencing the capacity to perceive, understand, and manage an individual’s own emotions in relationships, is very crucial in political communication. It implies being aware of emotions in oneself and others and using this awareness to guide thinking and behavior. Emotionally intelligent individuals can motivate themselves, read social cues, and build strong relationships. In dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), there are three types of minds. The reasonable mind: directed by logic, the emotional mind: directed by our feelings, and the wise mind: the intersection of the reasonable mind and emotional mind.

For example, a reasonable mind will tell Bernard and Dennis, let me insult him to score a political point. The emotional mind would say, “Empty lawyer like you,” “A thief like you.” A wise mind would say; I am on TV, and the whole world is watching, not only my NPP or NDC supporters. Ghana Media must practice a delay broadcast to toss out unfortunate misconduct on TV like the Newsfile dated October 31, 2026. “If there is any principle of the Constitution that more imperatively calls for attachment than any other, it is the principle of free thought, not free thought for those who agree with us but freedom for the thought that we hate.” ---- Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. In fact, we must be goaded to have freedom for the thought that we hate; the thoroughgoing issues of media abuse. Miracle Aboagye’s constant interruption during discussion was a rebuke to democracy. Bernard could have acted in a mature manner.

By Nana Yaw Osei, Ph. D., Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA