Talking politics: Deception, persuasion, and linguistic strategies in Ghanaian political discourse

This study explores the use of language in Ghanaian politics as a tool for both persuasion and deception. Against the backdrop of Ghana's vibrant democratic landscape, the research addresses a central question: does political language serve as a means of genuine persuasion or as a vehicle for manipulation? The study examines selected campaign speeches and public statements by John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), two dominant figures in Ghanaian politics. Drawing on an integrated theoretical framework—combining Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), Political Discourse Analysis (PDA), and Information Manipulation Theory (IMT)—the research qualitatively analyzes over fifty campaign texts sourced from major Ghanaian media outlets between 2016 and 2024. Findings reveal that both politicians strategically use linguistic devices such as pronouns, repetition, and metaphors to construct credibility, evoke emotion, and assert authority. However, their discourse often blurs the boundary between persuasion and deception, marked by contradictions, exaggerations, and selective omissions. The study contributes to the broader field of political linguistics by demonstrating how multi-layered theoretical integration deepens understanding of political communication in emerging democracies and highlights the need for greater civic and rhetorical awareness among citizens.