The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA), Dr. Awusi, has recounted how former Minister for Information and Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi Constituency in the Eastern Region, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, allegedly abandoned his PhD studies at the University of Ghana.

According to her, despite Mr. Oppong Nkrumah’s public reputation as an intelligent and capable figure, he withdrew from the programme shortly after enrolling, citing difficulties in coping with its demands.

Dr. Awusi revealed that she and the late Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Mohammed Ibrahim Mutala—who until his death served as Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation—were also part of the same PhD cohort.

The late Mutala tragically lost his life in last week’s military helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region, which claimed seven lives, including that of Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah.

She explained that despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2023, she completed her PhD in Education and Human Resources that year, while the late Mutala completed his in Politics in 2024.

Mr. Oppong Nkrumah, however, did not finish, which she attributed to a lack of tenacity for the “rudiments of the course.”

Speaking on The Citizen Show hosted by Nana Otu Darko on Accra 100.5 FM on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, Dr. Awusi said all PhD candidates were required to attend the same philosophy class, where she personally observed the former Information Minister’s struggles.

She made the remarks in response to what she described as derogatory comments from some elements within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) following the deaths of the late ministers on social media platforms.

“The brains in the NDC are no match for those in the NPP? Well, people who think they can challenge the NDC are abandoning their PhD studies, while NDC brains are staying to complete them,” she argued.