A Textual Analysis of John Dramani Mahama's Speech on Small-Scale Mining, Sunyani, Ghana

Abstract

The growing problem of small-scale mining that operates illegally in Ghana, known as galamsey, has emerged as one of the major environmental, socio-economic, and governance issues in Ghana. It has sparked debates regarding sustainable mining practices in Ghana. This study analyzes a speech made by John Dramani Mahama at the 3rd Annual Transformational Dialogue on Small-Scale Mining held in Sunyani, Ghana. The main objective of this study is to conduct a textual analysis of the speech for the purposes of investigating the use of language to construct an argument, persuade audiences, and find solutions to problems associated with illegal mining activities. A qualitative analysis technique was adopted based on the tenets of Critical Discourse Analysis, Aristotelian Rhetoric, and Systemic Functional Linguistics. Ethos, pathos, and logos, together with linguistic features of repetition, metaphor, imagery, tone, and speech organization form the bases of the analysis. The findings indicate that the speaker establishes his credibility through his identity as a leader and uses representations to evoke emotion in the audience and employs logical appeal through his reforms to institutions and policies. The research revealed that political speeches not only act as channels of communication but also as tools for framing public discourse and bringing about policy transformation in the mining industry in Ghana.