Elections and Communication in Ghana

Abstract

This book offers rich analytical insights into the interplay between media, communication and elections. Media and communication remain indispensable to democratic elections. This is due in no small measure to the power of language, words and narratives to transmit information, frame debates, share values, and connect with the electorate while invariably shaping public attitudes and perceptions. Investigating, unpacking and deconstructing the various strands of the media-communication-elections dynamic is, therefore, a worthwhile exercise. The chapters contained in this book investigate various dimensions of the flows between the various actors in this nexus. Overall, this invariably contributes to an appreciation of the role of communication and media to democratic advancement.

Table of Contents Preface v List of Contributors xi List of Abbreviations xvii

Introduction 1 Testing the Pulse of the Nation: Reflections on Polling in Ghanaian Elections John Osae-Kwapong 1

2 Self-Framing in Post-Electoral Speeches: An Analysis of the Two Leading Candidates in the 2020 Ghanaian Elections Nana Kwame Osei Fordjour, Maame Ofewah Sarpong, Timothy Kwakye Karikari 37

3 Celebrity Advertising, Personality, Risk and Choice of Political Candidates in a Public University in Ghana George Kwabena Asamoah, Ebenezer Afum, Gloria Kakraba-Quarshie Agyapong Lawrence Y. Kusi 59

4 Establishing Preferability in Ghana’s 2020 General Elections: An Analysis of Candidates’ Use of Emotional Appeals in Political Campaigns on Social Media Eric Boateng, Miriam Ohenewaa Annan Evans Akesse-Brempong, Samuel Owusu Amofa Paul Osei-Bonsu 95

5 Horse Race Journalism and Ghana’s Democracy: Assessment, Implications, and Recommendations Ebo Afful & Desmond Lamptey iv Elections and Communication in Ghana

6 Analysis of Candidate Speeches Presented At The Manifesto Launch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Anani Yao Kuwornu 150

7 Women Lead Women Only, Men Lead Us All; Framing of Female Political Leadership in Ghana Louise Carol Serwaa Donkor 170

8 Political Party Online Stakeholder Relations: Online Political Communication in the 2020 General Elections Paulina Kuranchie Akosua Kosei Kwarteng Asamoah 196

9 How Partisanship in New Media Led to Insurrection Cryshanna Jackson-Leftwich Jeffrey Tyus 213

10 “I Also Have My Own Vision for Ghana”: A Framing Analysis of Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia’s 2024 Presidential Candidacy Announcement Speech Godwin Etse Sikanku, Samuel Danso Louise Carol Serwaa Donkor, Eric Opoku Mensah 24