Professor Thomas Mba Akabzaa, the recently appointed Board Chairman of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), has passed away.
Appointed by President John Dramani Mahama to lead the eight-member PURC Board, Prof Akabzaa officially assumed office on March 28, 2025, joining the swearing-in ceremony virtually due to health-related constraints.
His untimely death just weeks later has cast a shadow over what many hoped would be a transformative tenure.
Family sources confirmed to media that he died on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at the University of Ghana Medical Centre.
The cause of death has not yet been made public.
Professor Akabzaa was a respected academic and public servant, with a distinguished career spanning decades.
As a Professor in the Department of Earth Science at the University of Ghana, he gained recognition for his extensive research in mining, environmental sustainability, and natural resource governance, work that earned him over 2,289 academic citations.
He has also authored two influential books; Boom and Dislocation: Environmental and Social Impacts of Mining in the Wassa West District of Ghana and The Glittering Façade: Environmental and Health Impacts of Mining in the Obuasi Area.
These publications have played a critical role in shaping policy discussions on mining and its effects in Ghana.
In public service, Professor Akabzaa served as Chief Director at the Ministry of Energy from 2011 to 2017. His stewardship earned him the title of Best Performing Chief Director in both 2013 and 2014.
He also held various leadership and advisory roles, including Board Chairman of the West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited, and was an active member of several local and international professional associations.
Professor Akabzaa leaves behind a legacy of academic excellence, policy influence, and dedicated public service.
His demise is a significant loss to Ghana’s energy and regulatory sectors.
