Media practitioners urged to embrace emotional intelligence, AI for professional growth

Media professionals have been advised to enhance their emotional intelligence, establish dependable professional connections, and adopt artificial intelligence (AI) to improve their effectiveness and credibility in the changing media environment. Percy Amoh Yankey, a consultant expert, made this recommendation during a media engagement organized by the Ghana National Gas Company Limited (Ghana Gas) for journalists from Western and Greater Accra Regions.

The event took place at Alisa Hotel in Accra on Saturday, October 17, 2026, as part of Ghana Gas's Corporate Affairs and Community Relations Office initiatives to provide journalists with insights into the company's operations, particularly concerning health, safety, and environmental sustainability.

During the program, Yankey discussed personal and professional development aspects, including emotional intelligence, self-awareness, trust-building, AI, and the significance of continuous learning. He highlighted that emotional intelligence was crucial for media practitioners as they frequently interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds, personalities, opinions, and perspectives.

Yankey explained that human behavior and decision-making are often influenced by emotions, which makes it vital for journalists to comprehend their emotional triggers and handle their reactions appropriately. He stressed self-awareness beyond simply identifying personal strengths and weaknesses to include the ability to regulate emotions and improve behavior.

He cautioned journalists against allowing provocation, anger, or frustration to compromise their professionalism, particularly during interviews, panel discussions, or engagements featuring conflicting viewpoints. He emphasized the importance of remaining calm and exercising restraint in challenging situations, citing it as a sign of emotional maturity.

Yankey also distinguished between reacting and responding, defining reactions as immediate and emotion-driven while responses involve deliberate thought and sound judgment. He advised media practitioners to pause, assess situations, and select appropriate responses instead of allowing pressure or confrontation to dictate their behavior.

He further stressed the importance of social awareness, which entails understanding others, appreciating their perspectives, and fostering healthy relationships. He encouraged journalists to refrain from hasty judgments and approach interactions with patience, understanding, and respect, while maintaining their professional standards.

Yankey also underscored the significance of social capital, explaining that professional relationships built on familiarity, mutual respect, and trust could lead to career advancement opportunities. He cautioned that once trust and credibility are damaged, they are challenging to rebuild, urging journalists to protect their reputations and resist the temptation to compromise their values for short-term gains.

He noted that a professional’s reputation is one of their most valuable assets, shaping how colleagues, sources, institutions, and the public perceive and interact with them. For journalists, he explained, credibility is particularly crucial because public confidence depends on the accuracy, fairness, and integrity of their work.