Modality in the Independence Day Speeches of John Dramani Mahama and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo

Abstract

This study examines the deployment of modality in Ghanaian Independence Day speeches as a strategic linguistic resource for constructing authority, negotiating interpersonal relations, and mobilizing national sentiment. Drawing on eight Independence Day speeches delivered by two Ghanaian presidents, John Dramani Mahama (JDM) and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo (NADAA), the eleventh and twelfth presidents of the Fourth Republic respectively, the study adopts Halliday’s Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) as its theoretical framework, with a particular focus on the interpersonal metafunction. Using Bybee, Perkins and Pagliuca’s (1994) four-way classification of modality (epistemic, agent-oriented, speaker-oriented, and subordinating modality), the study systematically analyses how modal expressions encode stance, commitment, obligation, and persuasion within this underexplored genre of political discourse. The analysis reveals that epistemic modality is the most frequently employed modality type, enabling the presidents to project confidence, certainty, and authoritative knowledge in their propositions. Agent-oriented modality is strategically used to express obligation, necessity, ability, and desire, thereby assuring citizens of presidential commitment to national development and democratic responsibility. Speaker-oriented modality functions to issue directives, admonitions, permissions, and optatives, reinforcing presidential authority while simultaneously fostering inclusivity and civic engagement. Subordinating modality, though least frequent, serves an important rhetorical function by invoking hypothetical and conditional scenarios that encourage patriotism and collective responsibility. A comparative analysis further shows that while NADAA’s speeches are characterized by assertive, obligation-driven modality that emphasises authority and decisiveness, JDM’s rhetoric exhibits a more aspirational and emotive orientation, relying on hypotheticals and motivational appeals to inspire national cohesion. The study demonstrates the analytical strength of SFL in examining commemorative political speeches and highlights modality as a central interpersonal resource in political discourse.