Chief Executive Officer of relationship development firm Hearts and Habits, Amos Kevin-Annan, has urged Ghanaians to prioritise self-awareness, emotional regulation and deliberate effort if they want healthier relationships in 2026.
Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Friday, 9 January, as part of the station’s Start Right series, Kevin-Annan emphasised that human beings are inherently social and cannot flourish in isolation, making the quality of relationships vital to emotional well-being and survival. “We are wired to connect.
That is why we fear isolation and yearn for connection,” he noted, underscoring that building and maintaining healthy relationships is not optional but essential to human life. He explained that many relationships collapse because individuals struggle to manage their emotions, thought patterns, and self-image, which in turn shape how they interact with others. “Low self-esteem or a superiority complex will inevitably affect how you relate to people,” he said, adding, “Relationships begin with you and how you manage yourself.”
Kevin-Annan identified unresolved conflicts, poor conflict management, unrealistic expectations and broken promises—particularly in romantic and marital relationships—as some of the leading causes of relationship breakdowns. He said discourtesy, distraction and emotional neglect often leave people feeling devalued and unwilling to continue relationships.
On the role of social media, the Hearts and Habits CEO described digital platforms as “neutral,” arguing that their impact on relationships depends largely on the content users consume and share.
“Toxic content increases people’s propensity to be toxic,” he said, warning that repeated exposure to harmful narratives online can subconsciously shape behaviour and attitudes within relationships.
Kevin-Annan also explained why family conflicts tend to be more emotionally damaging than other relationship breakdowns, noting that individuals do not choose their families and often derive their sense of identity and value from the home.
“Those who are closest to us are the ones who can hurt us most profoundly,” he said, adding that unresolved family tensions can have long-term emotional consequences.
Addressing conflict resolution within families and African cultural contexts, Kevin-Annan dismissed the notion that setting boundaries is un-African, explaining that boundaries are necessary protocols for healthy coexistence.
“Boundaries are not China walls,” he said. “They are put in place to ensure coherent and respectful engagement.”
He cautioned against reopening old wounds during conflict resolution, warning that unresolved past issues, when repeatedly revived, can deepen resentment and prolong relational damage.
Kevin-Annan dismissed the notion that harmful behaviour should be excused on the grounds of personality, insisting that traits are not fixed and cannot serve as justification for misconduct. “Temperaments can be changed; they are not set in stone,” he emphasised. In evaluating friendships, he cautioned against one-sided dynamics, explaining that healthy relationships are built on interdependence rather than dependence. “If you find yourself being the only one who calls, visits, apologises, or forgives, then the relationship is draining,” he observed.
Sharing guidance for those seeking stronger relationships in the new year, Kevin-Annan cautioned against resolutions rooted in mere wishful thinking. He urged individuals to clearly define what “better” means to them and to take deliberate, practical steps toward achieving it. “Wishing alone is not enough.
Complacency must give way,” he stressed, encouraging people to reflect on past behaviours, embrace accountability, and remain receptive to feedback. Concluding his remarks, he called on Ghanaians to make 2026 a year of aspiration and continuous self-improvement. “Good is never enough for those who strive to be better. Let us all commit to becoming better versions of ourselves,” he affirmed
Source: Winifred Lartey
