This study explores the communicative dynamics of selected proceedings of the 8th Parliament of the 4th Republic of Ghana through the lens of Dell Hymes’ Ethnography of Communication theory. Using a qualitative content analysis approach, the study examines how parliamentarians employ language to construct meaning, negotiate power, and perform their institutional roles within the parliamentary speech community. Four purposively selected parliamentary proceedings were analysed through document analysis, while textual analysis was employed to interpret the data. The findings reveal five major communicative tones within parliamentary discourse: formal, informal, emotional, conflictual, and consensual. Among these, the formal tone emerged as the most dominant, underscoring the institutional and procedural character of parliamentary communication. By adopting an ethnographic perspective, the study provides deeper insight into how language use within parliament both reflects and shapes power relations, governance processes, and societal norms. The study contributes to existing scholarship on political discourse and institutional communication by demonstrating how parliamentary communication extends beyond legislative functions to mirror broader social values, influence public perception, and shape policy outcomes. The findings offer valuable implications for policymakers, communication practitioners, and scholars interested in political communication and discourse studies. Read more

The ascendancy of digital technologies has revolutionised political communication strategies, with presidential contenders increasingly exploiting online platforms to interact with electorates. This investigation aims to evaluate the efficacy and implications of digital campaign strategies adopted by presidential candidates during the 2023 Nigerian Elections. using survey research methodology, with questionnaires as the primary data collection instrument, this inquiry endeavours to evaluate the impact of social media campaigns on voter perceptions, engagement, and ultimately, electoral behaviour. Drawing on Agenda Setting, Uses and Gratification, and Conspiracy Theories, the study identifies Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp as the preferred social media platforms among respondents for receiving political communications. Findings suggest that social media notably influenced respondents' preferences for candidates during the 2023 presidential election, augmenting the popularity of Tinubu, Obi, and Atiku. The research emphasizes that social media content pertaining to these candidates directly shaped respondents' voting choices. Moreover, the research affirms that social media usage profoundly influences election campaigns in Nigeria, advocating, among other measures, for Nigerian political stakeholders to persist in using social media to engage with electorates. Read more

This study explores the transformative impact of media, information and communication technologies (ICTs), and communication networks in influencing development outcomes, driving social change, and promoting political participation, with a particular focus on Nigeria. This study explores how these tools have become crucial for reaching sustainable development goals in a time when technological breakthroughs define society's progress more and more. Combining theoretical models with thorough case studies and empirical analysis helps the article expose the several ways in which media platforms and ICTs empower communities, increase civic participation, and advance openness in government. The study not only points up important issues including digital divisions and unequal access but also reveals the great chances to use technologies to overcome social disparities. In a society where the need for constant improvement in social, political, and economic institutions is ever-present, the results provide practical advice for development practitioners, legislators, and interested parties on how to use the whole potential of these discoveries. The report ends with strategic recommendations to maximize the use of ICTs for development, therefore addressing study constraints and suggesting paths for future research. Read more