Ghana News
Former NPP National Chairman and Minority Leader of Parliament, Samuel Arthur Odoi-Sykes, has died at the age of 98, following a long career in Ghanaian politics, diplomacy and public service.
Former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Minority Leader of Parliament, Samuel Arthur Odoi-Sykes, has died at the age of 98.
Mr Odoi-Sykes died on Monday, October 5, 2026, according to a statement issued by his family.
The family described him as a distinguished lawyer, parliamentarian, diplomat and statesman who dedicated his life to public service, intellectual independence and national development.
Mr Odoi-Sykes had a long career spanning education, public administration, law, diplomacy and politics. He began his professional career as a teacher before joining the Ministry of Information and later entering Ghana’s Foreign Service in 1961.
His diplomatic career took him to several countries, including India, the United States, the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom. He served in various positions, including First Secretary, Press Attaché, Minister-Counsellor, Deputy Ambassador to the Soviet Union and Deputy High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
He entered Parliament after winning the Ashiedu Keteke constituency in the 1979 elections and became Minority Leader in 1980. He served during Ghana’s Third Republic before the legislature was dissolved in 1981.
Mr Odoi-Sykes was also a founding member of the NPP and served as the party’s National Chairman from 1998 to 2001. His tenure covered the 2000 general elections, when the NPP recorded its first presidential and parliamentary electoral victory in the Fourth Republic.
After the 2000 elections, he continued his public service as Ghana’s High Commissioner to Canada from 2001 to 2006.
A lawyer by profession, Mr Odoi-Sykes was called to the Bar at the Inner Temple in the United Kingdom before being admitted to the Ghana Bar. He was educated at Accra Academy, the University of Ghana, the University of London and Johns Hopkins University.
Following news of his death, NPP leaders and members paid tribute to his contribution to the party and Ghana’s public life. NPP National Chairman John Boadu said the late former chairman played an important role in strengthening the party ahead of the 2000 elections.
NPP flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia also expressed condolences to the family, describing Odoi-Sykes as a founding member of the party and highlighting his service as National Chairman and Ghana’s High Commissioner to Canada.
Mr Odoi-Sykes is survived by his wife, Edith Amorkor Sykes, and four children: Cynthia Omaboe, Mavis Amoa, Vincent Sykes and Frank Sykes.
The family said details of the funeral arrangements would be announced in due course.
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