Overview

Full Product Details

9781786613691

Table of Contents

Reviews

Deploying their uncommon understanding of politics and society, the various contributors to this volume educate the reader on the multifaceted themes that have shaped Ghana's political trajectories since the era of decolonization. In both the normative and paradigmatic contexts, the book successfully demonstrates that indeed, democracy is a lake; it acquires its particular character from the ecosystem. This is a must-read for all students of African politics. -- Raphael Chijioke Njoku, Professor of African History and Chair of Global Studies and Languages, Idaho State University The editors and authors of this collection have first-hand experience with Ghanaian politics, campaigns and other political and social activities, meaning they are able to take the reader inside Ghana, revealing intimate details of the country's unique electioneering campaigns. Even the expert will learn tremendously from the great insights the authors draw from political science, linguistics, ethnomusicology, political socialization, policy-making and legislative practices to show how politics is now conducted in Ghana. This book is highly recommended to all readers interested in Ghana's unique style of political campaigns. -- Kwamina Panford, Senior Fulbright Scholar and Carnegie Africa Diaspora Fellow, Northeastern University

Deploying their uncommon understanding of politics and society, the various contributors to this volume educate the reader on the multifaceted themes that have shaped Ghana's political trajectories since the era of decolonization. In both the normative and paradigmatic contexts, the book successfully demonstrates that indeed, democracy is a lake; it acquires its particular character from the ecosystem. This is a must-read for all students of African politics. -- Raphael Chijioke Njoku, Professor of African History and Chair of Global Studies and Languages, Idaho State University The editors and authors of this collection have first-hand experience with Ghanaian politics, campaigns and other political and social activities, meaning they are able to take the reader inside Ghana, revealing intimate details of the country's unique electioneering campaigns. Even the expert will learn tremendously from the great insights the authors draw from political science, linguistics, ethnomusicology, political socialization, policy-making and legislative practices to show how politics is now conducted in Ghana. This book is highly recommended to all readers interested in Ghana's unique style of political campaigns. -- Kwamina Panford, Senior Fulbright Scholar and Carnegie Africa Diaspora Fellow, Northeastern University Ghanaian Politics and Political Communication is a unique contribution to understanding the importance of language use in the context of democracy and political communication in Ghana. All contributors to this well-researched book are Ghanaian scholars in fields of political science, linguistics, communication studies, and musicology. The data includes detailed responses to field interviews, questionnaires, presidential speeches to parliament and the nation, as well as analysis of lyrics of music that are assessed to be political. It is observed that for Ghana's democracy to be strengthened and sustained, there is the need for its citizens to be properly informed on issues that are pertinent to their lives. It is further noted that even if the media has access to information, still the use of the English language as the dominant mode of elite communication to the public does not guarantee an informed electorate. Yet, Ghana's record of the Fourth Republic, where incumbency has not necessarily resulted in election victories for the party in power, is indicative that the electorate is rational in its decisions and would be even more so if political actors communicated in the appropriate languages and modes to reach all. A distinguishing characteristic of this project is the application of theories and concepts in political literature to frame the analysis. -- David Owusu-Ansah, Author of the series Historical Dictionary of Ghana and Associate Provost of Diversity at James Madison University The thought-provoking, engaging and well-written chapters of this book provide deep insights into political communication within a democratic context set upon time-tested African traditional communication practices. The blend of authors comprising experienced and newer academics and practitioners in the areas of politics, linguistics, communication, music and international relations, offers a wealth of experience and innovation for readers to learn from. A must-read for every student of African/Ghanaian politics and communication. -- Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Department of Linguistics, University of Ghana

Deploying their uncommon understanding of politics and society, the various contributors to this volume educate the reader on the multifaceted themes that have shaped Ghana’s political trajectories since the era of decolonization. In both the normative and paradigmatic contexts, the book successfully demonstrates that indeed, democracy is a lake; it acquires its particular character from the ecosystem. This is a must-read for all students of African politics. -- Raphael Chijioke Njoku, Professor of African History and Chair of Global Studies and Languages, Idaho State University

Deploying their uncommon understanding of politics and society, the various contributors to this volume educate the reader on the multifaceted themes that have shaped Ghana's political trajectories since the era of decolonization. In both the normative and paradigmatic contexts, the book successfully demonstrates that indeed, democracy is a lake; it acquires its particular character from the ecosystem. This is a must-read for all students of African politics. -- Raphael Chijioke Njoku, Professor of African History and Chair of Global Studies and Languages, Idaho State University

Author Information

Samuel Gyasi Obeng is Professor of Linguistics at Indiana University-Bloomington (USA). He is also an affiliated faculty in the School of Global and International Studies and a faculty of Indiana University’s Honors Program. Emmanuel Debrah is Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science and Director of the Legon Center for International Affairs and Diplomacy at the University of Ghana. He specializes in electoral and party politics, local government and decentralization, public policy, and democratic governance.

Tab Content 6

Countries Available