adverts
Ghana is mourning the sudden passing of Professor Thomas Mba Akabzaa, the recently appointed Board Chairman of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC).
His death comes less than a month after his official induction into office, casting a pall over what was expected to be a period of progressive leadership at the Commission.
Prof. Akabzaa, who was appointed by President John Dramani Mahama to lead the eight-member PURC Board, passed away on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC). Though the cause of death has not been publicly disclosed, family sources confirmed his demise to Citi News.
adverts
Due to health reasons, Prof. Akabzaa was unable to attend the PURC Board’s swearing-in ceremony in person but participated virtually and was officially inducted into his role on March 28, 2025. His appointment was met with widespread commendation, with many expecting his deep academic and professional experience to bring a transformative touch to Ghana’s utility regulation landscape.
Professor Akabzaa had a distinguished career spanning academia, public service, and policy advocacy. As a seasoned academic, he was a professor at the Department of Earth Science at the University of Ghana. His research, particularly in the fields of mining, environmental sustainability, and natural resources management, earned him both local and international acclaim. He amassed over 2,289 citations in scholarly works and was a thought leader in discussions around Ghana’s extractive industries.
He authored two seminal 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—which have been widely referenced by scholars, policy makers, and civil society actors engaged in environmental governance and sustainable development.
Beyond academia, Prof. Akabzaa was deeply involved in shaping Ghana’s energy sector. He served as Chief Director at the Ministry of Energy from 2011 to 2017, a period during which he led critical reforms and development strategies in the energy sector. His exemplary performance at the ministry earned him the Best Performing Chief Director award in both 2013 and 2014.
Prof. Akabzaa’s leadership was also felt across a number of strategic institutions. He served as Board Chairman of the West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited, helping to steer regional energy collaboration and infrastructure projects. He was a member of several professional associations, contributing to research, knowledge sharing, and capacity-building efforts across the natural resources and energy sectors.
His wealth of experience made him a natural fit for the role of PURC Board Chair—a position that demands strong regulatory insight, policy depth, and a nuanced understanding of Ghana’s utility ecosystem. Stakeholders had looked forward to a tenure marked by reforms in tariff management, consumer protection, and infrastructure efficiency under his stewardship.
Tributes have been pouring in from academia, government officials, and the wider public service community. Many described Prof. Akabzaa as a visionary, a mentor, and a tireless advocate for responsible governance of Ghana’s natural and energy resources.
In a statement, a senior official at the Ministry of Energy remarked, “Ghana has lost not only a brilliant mind but also a dedicated servant of the state. Prof. Akabzaa’s legacy is firmly etched in the reforms and policies that continue to shape Ghana’s energy and mining sectors.”
The PURC is yet to issue an official statement, but sources close to the Commission described the mood as one of deep sadness and shock.
Click the link Puretvonline.com | WhatsApp Channel to join the whatsapp channel
GOT A STORY?
Contact/WhatsApp: +233243201960 or Email: manuelnkansah33@gmail.com
