AN ANALYSIS OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF FAIRCLOUGH’S (2001) CDA THEORY ON THE 2ND UPDATE OF PRESIDENT NANA ADDO DANKWA AKUFFO ADDO ON THE MEASURES TAKEN TO COMBAT THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS

Authors

  • Grant Essuman Centre for Communication, Liberal and Research Studies, Anglican University College of Technology, Ghana
  • Sandra Mensah Obeng English Education Department, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejel.v10i1.6014

Keywords:

political speech, Coronavirus, Fairclough’s (2001) CDA, Ghana

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the significance of Fairclough’s (2001) CDA theory on the 2nd update of President Akuffo Addo on the measures taken to combat the spread of the coronavirus. The study employed a qualitative approach and a textual analysis design. The study found that the President employed various linguistic items in his speech, such as discourse markers, deixis, and modality. He used these linguistic items to show power relations, grab the attention of the Ghanaian people, and create coherence in his speech. It was also found that he used words like “thank you”, “fellow Ghanaians”, etc., to promote inclusivity and to minimize division among the citizens. Lastly, the text was first-hand information by the president himself, distributed across the nation via media platforms, and consumed by Ghanaians in a variety of ways. It is concluded that Fairclough’s (2001) CDA uncovers the hidden meanings and ideologies in the text and reveals how language choices influence public perception, support existing social structures, and foster a more critical understanding of the discourse surrounding the 2nd COVID-19 update.

 

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Author Biographies

  • Grant Essuman, Centre for Communication, Liberal and Research Studies, Anglican University College of Technology, Ghana

    Grant Essuman is an Anglican Priest, and Applied linguist who teaches Communication Skills, Critical Thinking, African Studies and Research Methods at Anglican University College of Technology, Ghana.  He holds Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Theology, Master of Philosophy in Applied Linguistics and currently a PhD Candidate in the Department of Applied Linguistics at the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana. His research interests are applied linguistics, discourse analysis, pragmatics (post-colonial pragmatics), sociolinguistics, stylistics and language documentation.

    Institutional website: https: www.angutech.edu.gh;  

    ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-5084-1302;

    ResearchGate: www.researchgate.net/profile/Grant-Essuman;  

    AcademiaEdu: https://uew.academia.edu/GrantEssuman;

    LinkedIn: https://gh.linkedin.com/in/rev-d-fr-grant-essuman-095b5512a.    

  • Sandra Mensah Obeng, English Education Department, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana

    Sandra Mensah Obeng is an English language tutor at Ghana Christian Int. High School. She holds Bachelor of Arts in English Language. Currently, she reads Master of Philosophy in English language in the Department of English Education at the University of Education, Winneba. Her research interests are technology for language teaching and learning, English language pedagogy, language curriculum.

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Published

2025-05-08

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 1 (2025)

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