Former NPP chairman Samuel Odoi-Sykes dies

Former Minority Leader of Parliament and National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Samuel Arthur Odoi-Sykes, has died at age 98.

Mr Odoi-Sykes died on Monday, October 5, 2026, according to a statement issued by his family.

A former Member of Parliament for the Ashiedu Keteke Constituency, Mr Odoi-Sykes combined a career in politics with distinguished service as a lawyer and diplomat.

He entered Parliament after winning the Ashiedu Keteke seat in the 1979 elections and subsequently became Minority Leader in 1980.

He later served as National Chairman of the NPP from 1998 to 2001, leading the party during a period that ended with its historic victory in the December 2000 general elections.

Mr Odoi-Sykes also represented Ghana diplomatically, serving as High Commissioner to Canada from 2001 to 2006.

His career in public service began before politics. He first worked as a teacher before joining the Ministry of Information and later moved into Ghana's Foreign Service in 1961.

Over the course of his diplomatic career, he served in India, the United States, the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom in various capacities.

His diplomatic assignments included positions as First Secretary, Press Attaché, Minister-Counsellor, Deputy Ambassador to the Soviet Union and Deputy High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

A Barrister-at-Law, Mr Odoi-Sykes was called to the Bar at the Inner Temple in the United Kingdom before subsequently being admitted to the Ghana Bar.

Born in Accra, he received his education at Accra Academy, the University of Ghana, the University of London and Johns Hopkins University.

In their statement, his family described him as a man of principled character, courage and firm leadership who remained committed to public service and intellectual independence throughout his life.

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 his funeral arrangements would be announced in due course.