Ghanaian-American comedian and actor Michael Blackson has announced his official membership in the National Democratic Congress (NDC), following the government’s recent settlement of Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) coupons valued at GH¢6.081 billion.
In a tweet on February 17, Blackson expressed gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama, crediting the payment for providing relief to bondholders, including himself.
“Look at God, this is a very great start for all bondholders. As of today, I’m officially a member of the NDC party. Mahama, you just put a smile on the faces of the kids at my free school,” Blackson wrote.
The comedian’s support for the NDC follows a tumultuous experience with Ghana’s debt restructuring program. In September 2024, Blackson revealed that he had invested in Eurobonds to finance the Michael Blackson Academy in Agona Nsaba but struggled to recover his funds.
He accused the previous Akufo-Addo administration of mismanaging his investment, claiming his $1.2 million was used to service Ghana’s foreign debts rather than support his educational initiative.
“I have beef with this guy,” Blackson said on social media, referring to Ghana’s finance minister at the time. “People of the diaspora decided to invest in our continent, and they used our money to pay their debt, giving us two options: Either take a 37% cut and receive 5% interest with an 11-year maturity date, or no cut but 1.9% interest with a 15-year maturity date. I’m very disappointed in my people for this.”
Blackson’s investment in the Michael Blackson Academy, which provides free education to children in the Central Region, was caught up in the debt restructuring program initiated under the previous administration.
This move marks a significant political gesture from a high-profile public figure, highlighting the ongoing tensions surrounding Ghana’s economic challenges and debt management strategies.
