Former Minority Leader of Parliament and National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Samuel Arthur Odoi-Sykes, has died at the age of 97.
The former Member of Parliament for Ashiedu Keteke Constituency passed away on Monday, October 5, 2026, according to a statement released by his family.
Samuel Odoi-Sykes was a prominent Ghanaian politician, lawyer and diplomat whose career spanned several decades of public service in Ghana politics and diplomacy.
Samuel Odoi-Sykes’ Political Career
Odoi-Sykes was elected as the Member of Parliament for Ashiedu Keteke in the 1979 elections and subsequently became Minority Leader of Parliament in 1980.
He later served as National Chairman of the NPP from 1998 to 2001, leading the party during a significant period in its political history.
His tenure as NPP National Chairman culminated in the party’s historic electoral victory in December 2000, when the NPP won the presidential and parliamentary elections.
Former Ghana High Commissioner to Canada
Beyond Ghanaian politics, Samuel Odoi-Sykes had an extensive diplomatic career.
He served as Ghana’s High Commissioner to Canada from 2001 to 2006, following several years of service in Ghana’s Foreign Service.
Before entering politics, Odoi-Sykes worked as a teacher before joining the Ministry of Information and later entering the Foreign Service in 1961.
His diplomatic assignments took him to several countries, including India, the United States, the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom.
Throughout his diplomatic career, he held several positions, including First Secretary, Press Attaché, Minister-Counsellor, Deputy Ambassador to the Soviet Union and Deputy High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
Samuel Odoi-Sykes’ Legal and Educational Background
Odoi-Sykes was a Barrister-at-Law who was called to the Bar at the Inner Temple 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.
His professional career combined law, politics, diplomacy and public service, making him a notable figure in Ghana’s political and diplomatic history.
Family Pays Tribute to Former NPP Chairman
In their statement, the family described Samuel Odoi-Sykes as a man of principled character, courage and firm leadership, with a lifelong commitment to public service and intellectual independence.
He is survived by his wife, Edith Amorkor Sykes, and four children: Cynthia Omaboe, Mavis Amoa, Vincent Sykes and Frank Sykes.
The family said further information about the funeral arrangements for Samuel Odoi-Sykes will be announced in due course.
His death marks the passing of a veteran Ghanaian politician, diplomat and lawyer who played significant roles in the country’s parliamentary, diplomatic and political history.
Source: newsthemegh.com