Prof. MBA Thomas Akabzaa’s final funeral rites were held at Dua in the Bongo District of the Upper East Region, drawing mourners from across Ghana, Nigeria, and beyond. The funeral grounds reflected not only grief but also acts of kindness and support, highlighting the deep connection many had with the late academic and policy advisor.
Prof. Akabzaa, recently appointed as Board Chairman of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), was widely regarded for his contributions to academia, policy, and the Upper East Region.
His burial service at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Bongo-Dua was attended by notable figures, including members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), MPs Isaac Adongo (Bolgatanga Central) and Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine (Bolgatanga East), Bongo District Chief Executive Joseph Akasake Abaah, Upper East Regional Minister Donatus Akamurigre Atanga, musicians, chiefs, queen mothers, other MMDCEs, friends, and well-wishers from Ghana and Nigeria.
Prof. Akabzaa’s academic journey was remarkable. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Geology and Physics from the University of Ghana, Legon, in 1980. He later completed a Master’s in Mining Economics at McGill University, Canada, in 1994, and a PhD in Geology from the University of Ghana in 2004. Despite limited access to education in rural areas, he excelled academically, completing primary and middle school before attending Bawku Secondary School, where he served as Independence House Prefect.
Known for his generosity, Prof. Akabzaa often supported students from disadvantaged backgrounds, helping pay fees and providing mentorship. His professional contributions extended beyond the classroom. From 1996 to 2010, he was a pioneering researcher and activist with the Third World Network Africa, analyzing mining contracts, mineral rent distribution, and the politics of natural resource extraction across the continent.
He led training programs for parliaments in Ghana, Mali, and Sierra Leone, and served as a resource person for the Revenue Watch Summer School on Oil and Gas at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).
Prof. Akabzaa’s passing leaves a significant void in his family, the Upper East Region, the National Democratic Congress, and Ghana at large. His legacy as a scholar, policy advocate, and community champion will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Source: A1 Radio | 101.1 Mhz | Moses Azubire Anaba | Bongo
