About

Thomas Mba Akabzaa holds Bachelors and PhD degrees in Geology with Physics and Geology, respectively, from the University of Ghana and a Masters Degree in Mining Engineering with Mineral Economics specialty from McGill University, Canada. Has had several post graduate diplomas and certificates of participation in Public Policy, Public Sector Financial Management,  Public Sector Project Management , Monitoring and Evaluation, Mining Projects evaluation, Environmental Geochemistry, Mining environmental management, Extractive Resource Management, Environmental and Regulatory Monitoring of the Gas and Gas Industry, Liquefied Natural Transactions, Gas Project Management for Senior Executives, Petroleum Economics and Risk Management from several universities and institutions around the World.
Thomas is an Associate Professor of Geology. Appointed Chief Director of the Ministry of Energy in January 2011, a position he occupied until July 2017 when he voluntarily returned to the Department of Earth Science. As Chief Director, he acquitted himself very well, adjudged the Best Performing Chief Director for the years 2013 and 2014 and Second and third Best in 2015 and 2016, respectively. 
He was Head of the Department of Geology, University of Ghana from 2008 to 2010, and led his colleagues in the radical revision of the Department’s academic programmes to include professional development courses and new post graduate programmes in Petroleum Geosciences, Modular Masters programmes in Water Resources and Mineral Exploration. He was instrumental in the change of the name of the Department to Department of Earth Science to reflect its programmes coverage and global trends. 
He has led numerous research and training programmes in several African countries including International Validation of Ghana’s EITI process, training programmes for the Ghanaian, Malian and Sierra Leonean Parliaments and ECOWAS Mining Department; Resource Person and Course Convener for the Revenue Watch Summer School on Oil and Gas at GIMPA; Collaborative research with the Africa Mining Research Group of the  University of Quebec in Montreal, contributing chapters in four high profile books produced by the Group.  In total, he has over fifty publications to his credit including two books and chapters in ten books.
He has served on a number of University of Ghana Governing Boards and Committees, member of the Implementation Committee of the Universities of Energy Natural Resources (UENR) and Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), member and chairman of the Search Parties for the recruitment of Vice Chancellor for the University of Ghana in and Rector for the Bolgatanga Polytechnic in, 2009 and 2011, respectively. Served on the Ministry of Finance and Energy Ministerial Advisory Boards, Board Chairman of the West African Pipeline Authority and member of a number of professional associations and serves on a number of Governing Boards of various State and International institutions.

Education

[BSc, PhD (Ghana), MEng (McGill)]

Research Interest

1. Energy Transition and Technology Minerals
2. Regional and country level mining investment attractiveness 
3. Environmental implications of oil and gas development in the Voltaian
4. Mining and National Economic Development 
5. Small -scale mining efficiency; 
6. Mining, Environment and the SDGs
7. Water Quality and Climate change and climate resilience studies 
8. Global Initiatives in the Oil and Gas and Mining Sectors

Publications

Journal Publications 

• Baneong-Yakubo, B. Yidana, S.M. Anku, Yvonne, Akabzaa T. and Asiedu D (2008). Hydrochemical Characteristics of groundwater in the Akyem area, Ghana. Journal of Environmental Hydrology, Vol. 16 paper 37 
• Bruce Banoeng-Yakubo, Sandow Mark Yidana, Thomas Akabzaa, Daniel Asiedu, (2008) Groundwater flow modeling in the Akyem Area, Southwestern Ghana. Journal of Environmental Hydrology volume 16 
• G. Botchie, T. Akabzaa, E.A. Gyasi, and D. Sarpong (2007). Land Tenure, Land Use and the environment in Ghana. Technical Publication No.72. Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), University of Ghana. 78pp 
• T. M. Akabzaa, B.K, Baneong Yakubo and J.S, Seyire (2007) Impact of Mining Activities on Water Resources in the Vicinity of the Obuasi mine. West Africa Journal of Ecology, vol. 11. pp 129-139 
• T. M. Akabzaa, T.E.K. Armah, and B.K, Baneong Yakubo (2007) Prediction of acid mine drainage generation potential in selected mines in the Ashanti Metallogenic Belt using static geochemical methods. Environmental Geology Vol. 52, Number 5. pp. 957-964. B.K 
• Banoeng-Yakubo, M. Akabzaa, V..Hotor, S.K Danso (2006) “The application of Electrical Receptivity Techniques in the delineation of Saltwater-freshwater interphase in the Keta Basin, Ghana” In: Xu and Brent Usher (Eds.) Groundwater Pollution in Africa. TAYLOR & FRANCIS, London, pp.193-202 
• T. M. Akabzaa, B.K. Baneong Yakubo and J.S, Seyire (2005) “Heavy Metal Contamination in Some Mining Communities within the Jimi River Basin in Ashanti Region”. Journal of Ghana Science Association Vol. 7, Number 1, 2005. pp. 36 – 45. 
• T. M. Akabzaa, B.K. Baneong Yakubo and T.E.K. Armah (2005) “Anthropogenic sources of mercury pollution in Ankobra River Basin in South Western Ghana”. Ife Journal of Science Vol. 7, number 2, pp. 263 – 270. 
• Bonnie Campbell, Pascal Hacher, Ariane Lafortune, Bruno Sarrasin, Thomas Akabzaa and Paula Butler. (2003) “Factoring in Governance is not enough. Mining codes in Africa, Policy reform and corporate responsibility”. Minerals & Energy Vol. 18 No 3, 2003. pp. 2-13. 
• Magnus Macfarlane and Thomas Akabzaa (1999) “Assessing the Social Assessors”. Mining Environmental Management No.2. January. pp. 4-9. 
• Thomas Akabzaa and Magnus Macfarlane (1997). Ghana: impact Assessment of Mining in the Western Region”. Mining Engineering Research Network Bulletin No. 11/12, Special Edition. pp. 62-64. 

Refereed Chapters in Books 

• T.M. Akabzaa and B.K Kortatsi (2008) “Status of Acid Mine Drainage Studies in Ghana” In: Novescience (in Press) 
• B.K Kortatsi T.M. and Akabzaa (2008) “Gold mining in Ghana” In: Novescience (in Press) 
• Bonnie Campbell, Pascal Hacher, Ariane Lafortune, Bruno Sarrasin, Thomas Akabzaa and Paula Butler (2005) “The challenges of Development. Mining Codes in Africa and Corporate Responsibility”. In: Elizabeth Bastida, Thomas Walde and Jeneth Warden-Fernandez (Eds.). International and Comparative Mineral Law and Policy: trends and Prospects. KLUWER LAW INTERNATIONAL. pp. 801-822 
• Thomas Akabzaa, (2004) “Mining Regulation and Net returns from Mining in Ghana”. In: Bonnie Campbell (Ed.) Regulating Mining in Africa: For whose benefit?” NORDISKA AFRICAINSTITUTET UPPSALA, Stockholm. pp. 25-30 
• Charles Abugre and Thomas Akabzaa. (1998) “Socio-Economic and Environmental Impacts of foreign direct investment flows to Africa: a focus on the mining sector”. In: Koyizz-Mugerwa` Adebayo Olukoshi and Lennart Wohigemuth (Eds.). Towards a New Partnership with Africa: Challenges and Opportunities. NORDISKA AFRICAINSTITUTET. pp.109-119 
• Thomas Akabzaa (2001). “Research for Advocacy on Issues on Mining and the Environment in Africa: A case Study from the Tarkwa Mining District in Ghana”. In: Graham Y. (Ed.). Mining, Development and Social Conflicts in Africa. THIRD WORLD NETWORK, Accra, Ghana. pp.143 – 153. 

Books 

• Thomas Akabzaa (2000). Boom and Dislocation: Environmental and Social Impacts of Mining in the Wassa West District of Ghana. ISBN 9988-602-99-8, June. THIRD WORLD NETWORK, Accra, Ghana. 131pp. 
• T.M. Akabzaa, J.S. Seyire, K. Afriyie (2007). The Glittering Façade: Environmental and Health Impacts of Mining in the Obuasi Area. ISBN 9988-602-25-1. THIRD WORLD NETWORK, Accra, Ghana.