The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has verified the death of Professor Thomas Mba Akabzaa, the recently appointed Board Chairman.
President John Dramani Mahama created the eight-member PURC Board and named Prof. Akabzaa as its chair. Despite his inability to physically attend the swearing-in event, he joined digitally and was formally sworn in on March 28, 2025.
His recent appointment has been clouded by his untimely death, nevertheless. He died on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at the University of Ghana Medical Centre, according to family sources who spoke to Citi News. The cause of his death has not been revealed.
Prof. Akabzaa had a broad academic and professional background prior to being appointed to the PURC Board. He was a professor in the University of Ghana’s Department of Earth Science, where he received more than 2,289 citations for his research in the fields of mining, the environment, and natural resources.
Additionally, he wrote two noteworthy books that made a significant contribution to the conversation about mining and its effects in Ghana: 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.
From 2011 to 2017, Prof. Akabzaa was the Chief Director of the Ministry of Energy in addition to his academic duties.
In 2013 and 2014, he was recognized as the Ministry’s Best Performing Chief Director for his leadership. In addition, he served as the chairman of the West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited’s board and was a member of numerous national and international professional groups.