LANGUAGE, POWER AND IDEOLOGY: AN ANALYSIS OF SELECTED SPEECHES OF DR MENSA OTABIL

ABSTRACT This study analysed two speeches delivered by Dr. Mensa Otabil: a renowned preacher, entrepreneur and Chancellor of the Central University in Ghana. It is situated in Fairclough’s three dimensional model to critical discourse analysis and Thompson’s modes of ideology. A textual analysis of the speeches revealed how they reflect prevailing societal issues such as challenges in life, political, economic and cultural problems and how the speaker perceives such issues. The study also revealed that Dr. Otabil sought to reinforce a sense of determination to achieve set goals and objectives in the audience by challenging them to ensure effective implementation of policies in support or growth of individual talents and businesses. Power relations were exhibited in the speeches through the use of modal auxiliary verbs such as may, must and will and through pronouncements that point to the power behind the discourse. The findings confirm language as an embodiment of ideological dimensions and power relations which may not necessarily be opaque for the ordinary people who use them in their daily interactions. The study recommends that individuals should pay critical attention to the use of language in terms of how it is embedded with power and ideology to influence actions.