The Covid-19 pandemic in Ghana: exploring the discourse strategies in president Nana Addo’s speeches
Date
2023
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES COMMUNICATIONS
Abstract
Communication during a crisis can affect crisis management and health outcomes. Only a
Few studies in Africa have examined political leaders’ speeches on COVID-19 pandemic prevention and restrictive lockdown measures. The purpose of this study is to examine the
discourse strategies employed in President Nana Addo’s speeches delivered to Ghanaians on
the measures taken to combat the coronavirus. The first ten speeches of Nana Addo since
the inception of COVID-19 were selected, coded, and examined using content thematic analysis. The analysis of these speeches identified five main themes to capture the discourse
strategies that President Nana Addo used. The strategies captured in the thematic analysis
included framing Covid-19 as a war, encouraging nationalism and patriotism, and showing
appreciation and gratitude, threatening sanctions, and using religious values. These strategies
were reinforced by using religious, moralizing, and national identity legitimation discourses to
justify measures the government had put in place to minimize the impact of Covid-19 and
improve healthcare response. Also, the historical, social, and political contexts of Ghana and
elsewhere were invoked in Nana Addo’s speeches to legitimize the government’s response to
Covid-19. In conclusion, we highlight the implications of these strategies on crisis communication and management.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Communication, Covid-19 pandemic, discourse strategies