The newly appointed Board Chairman of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), Professor Thomas Mba Akabzaa, has been confirmed dead.
Prof. Akabzaa was appointed by President John Dramani Mahama to chair the eight-member PURC Board. Although he was unable to attend the official swearing-in ceremony in person, he joined virtually and was officially inducted into office on March 28, 2025.
However, his sudden passing has cast a shadow over his recent appointment. The cause of death has not been disclosed, but family sources confirmed to Citi News that he passed away at the University of Ghana Medical Centre on Thursday, April 17, 2025.
Before his appointment to the PURC Board, Prof. Akabzaa had an extensive academic and professional background. He was a Professor at the Department of Earth Science at the University of Ghana, where his scholarly work in mining, environment, and natural resources earned him over 2,289 citations.
He also authored two notable 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, both of which contributed significantly to the discourse on mining and its effects in Ghana.
In addition to his academic work, Prof. Akabzaa served as Chief Director at the Ministry of Energy from 2011 to 2017. His leadership at the Ministry earned him the accolade of Best Performing Chief Director in 2013 and 2014.
He also held several key roles, including Board Chairman of the West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited and membership in several professional associations both locally and internationally.
