Emotional intelligence, as described by Mayer and Salovey (1997), is the ability to perceive, understand, manage, and use emotions wisely. In leadership, it enables calm decision-making, empathy, and resilience.

A teacher, imam, or entrepreneur with high emotional intelligence inspires trust and cooperation, even in adversity. Spiritual intelligence, defined by Emmons (2000) and King (2008), is the ability to apply spiritual values to daily life — to find purpose, act with compassion, and remain morally anchored in challenging situations. It helps young men connect personal ambition with divine accountability.

Together, emotional and spiritual intelligence cultivate ethical leadership — the kind that prioritises service over status, integrity over image, and community welfare over personal gain.

Such leadership is what Ghana, and the world, needs: men who lead with conscience, competence, and compassion — embodying responsibility in every sphere of life.

As Mahatma Gandhi once said, “True education must correspond to the surrounding circumstances or it is not a healthy growth.” For Ghanaian youth, education must therefore include mentorship, entrepreneurship, and service.

A responsible man takes charge of his learning, his career, and his growth. He invests in his future with diligence, honesty, and a commitment to contribute positively to his society.

4. Responsibility in marriage and family life

Family is the bedrock of any society. Strong nations are built on strong families — and strong families depend on responsible men. The Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

“The best of you are those who are best to their wives.” (Tirmidhi, Hadith 1162).

 In Islam, leadership in the home is not domination; it is service. The husband is a caretaker (qawwam), entrusted to love, protect, and guide with mercy. Responsibility in marriage means emotional intelligence, financial prudence, and spiritual leadership.

Sociologist Anthony Giddens (2013) in Sociology notes that modern family life requires emotional participation, not just financial provision. Men must be present not only as breadwinners but as role models, listeners, and teachers.

In today’s Ghana, we see families crumbling due to absentee fatherhood, domestic violence, and lack of communication. True masculinity is not measured by authority, but by empathy and responsibility. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم demonstrated this balance helping with housework, caring for his family, and treating all with gentleness.

When men lead with compassion and discipline, families thrive and when families thrive, nations prosper.

By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai

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1. Introduction

Bismillāhi-r-Raḥmāni-r-Raḥīm.     

All the praises and thanks be to Allah, we ask for His countless blessings upon the Holy Prophet Mohammed s.a.w., his household, companions and those who follow the cause till the last day.

Our topic today — “Building responsible men for tomorrow” — could not be more relevant.

Across the world and in our dear Ghana, we are witnessing a crisis of masculinity: moral decay, social irresponsibility, and a growing disconnect between manhood and accountability. The Holy Qur’an reminds us that; “Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.”(Qur’an 13:11)

Responsibility, therefore, begins not in the parliament, not in the mosque, but within the self — in the heart and the mind of each man who decides to live by principle and faith.

2. Understanding the theme let us unpack the theme itself: “Building responsible men for tomorrow.”

To build means to construct, to shape, or to strengthen. It suggests a deliberate, continuous process— one that requires foundation, materials, and commitment. In this context, we are not building structures, but characters — men whose lives reflect honesty, service, and leadership.

The word “responsible” comes from the root respondere, meaning “to answer.” Yes, the word “responsible” comes from the Latin root respondere, which means “to answer” or” to respond,” and is made up of re- (“back,” “again”) and spondēre (“to pledge”). This original sense highlights the idea of being “answerable for” or “obligated” to something, retaining the core meaning of a pledge or promise to answer for an action or duty.

• Origin: The Latin verb respondere combines re- (“back” or “again”) with spondēre (“to pledge”).

• Meaning: The combined meaning is “to answer” or “to promise in return”.

• Etymology: This root shows that to be “responsible” is to be able to “answer for” something, retaining the sense of being accountable for a promise or obligation.

In the moral and spiritual contexts, it is to be responsible or answerable to Allah, to family, to society, and to one’s own conscience. It is the ability to make choices and accept their consequences with integrity.

The word “men” here transcends biology. It refers to leaders, fathers, sons, and brothers individuals who must embody purpose and discipline. As Dr Myles Munroe (2002) wisely wrote in. The Principles and Power of Vision, “The greatest tragedy in life is not death, but a life without purpose.” Responsible men live with purpose — guided by principles larger than themselves.

Finally, “tomorrow” symbolises the future — the Ghana, the Ummah, and the world we hope to leave for our children. Every action today shapes that tomorrow.

3. Education and career development: The foundation of responsibility

Education is the foundation of all meaningful progress the seed from which responsible individuals and sustainable societies grow. The Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم emphasised, “Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim” (Ibn Mājah, Hadith 224). This timeless principle underlines that education is not merely a privilege but a duty — a lifelong pursuit that nurtures both the intellect and the soul.

True education extends beyond classrooms and certificates. It encompasses life skills, emotional intelligence, spiritual intelligence, and ethical leadership — the four pillars that shape responsible manhood in the modern world.

In the Ghanaian context, life skills refer to practical abilities such as problem-solving, decision- making, financial literacy, communication, and adaptability. A responsible man should know how to balance work and family, manage limited resources, and engage constructively in his community.