Clientelism and Elections: A Study of Ghanaian Politicians' Discourses

Abstract

This thesis brings to light political dynamics related to clientelism and other forms of corruption in Ghanaian electoral campaigns from 2012 to 2023. Specifically, the study seeks to answer the research question: how do political actors of the two major political parties in Ghana –the NPP and NDC –debate and argue about clientelism in Ghana? To answer this question, it analyzes three 2012, 2016, and 2020 elections and alternations in power, while also considering the upcoming 2024 elections. Using Discourse Analysis and drawing on primary and secondary data collected in Ghanian media (YouTube videos of political campaigns; televised interviews given to local media; etc.), this study unravels the cultural, religious and historical imports of language in the Ghanaian context of clientelism, veering away from the traditional definition of clientelism. The study finds that leading political actors in Ghana produce three types of discourses when they talk about clientelism: discourses on food and clientelism; discourses on family, clan, ethnicity and clientelism; and discourses on clientelism, wrongdoings and promises of politicians. These discourses use metaphors, proverbs, songs, speeches and other cultural references.