Samuel Arthur Odoi-Sykes, former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and former Minority Leader of Parliament, has died at 98.
A family statement said Mr Odoi-Sykes died on Monday, October 5, 2026.
The family described him as a man of principled character, courage and firm leadership, whose life was defined by a commitment to public service and intellectual independence.
Mr Odoi-Sykes served as NPP National Chairman from 1998 to 2001, leading the party through a period that culminated in its historic victory in the December 2000 general election, the party’s first under the Fourth Republic.
He also had a distinguished parliamentary and diplomatic career. He entered Parliament as Member of Parliament for Ashiedu Keteke in the 1979 elections and became Minority Leader in 1980.
A lawyer and diplomat, he served as Ghana’s High Commissioner to Canada from 2001 to 2006.
His career in public service began as a teacher before he joined the Ministry of Information and later entered Ghana’s Foreign Service in 1961.
His diplomatic postings took him to India, the United States, the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom, where he served in various capacities, including First Secretary, Press Attaché, Minister-Counsellor, Deputy Ambassador to the Soviet Union and Deputy High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
Mr Odoi-Sykes was a Barrister-at-Law, called to the Bar at the Inner Temple before being admitted to the Ghana Bar.
Born in Accra, he was educated at Accra Academy, the University of Ghana, the University of London and Johns Hopkins University.
He is survived by his wife, Edith Amorkor Sykes, and four children: Cynthia Omaboe, Mavis Amoa, Vincent Sykes and Frank Sykes.
The family said it would announce funeral arrangements in due course.
