Accra, Oct. 8, GNA – Mr Samuel Arthur Odoi-Sykes, a former Minority Leader and National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has died at 98.
Mr Odoi-Sykes, a lawyer, parliamentarian, diplomat and statesman, died on Monday, October 5, 2026, after a career spanning public administration, diplomacy and politics.
A family statement said he served as Ghana’s High Commissioner to Canada and as Member of Parliament for the Ashiedu Keteke Constituency in the Greater Accra Region.
Born in Accra in 1928, Mr Odoi-Sykes was educated at Accra Academy, the University of Ghana, the University of London and Johns Hopkins University.
”He was called to the Bar at the Inner Temple and subsequently admitted to the Ghana Bar. His career spanned law, public administration, diplomacy, and politics,” the statement said.
Mr Odoi-Sykes began his working life as a teacher before joining the Ministry of Information and later entering Ghana’s Foreign Service in 1961.
His diplomatic career took him to New Delhi, Washington, D.C., Moscow and London, 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.
He entered parliamentary politics in 1979 when he was elected MP for Ashiedu Keteke and became Minority Leader in 1980.
Mr Odoi-Sykes became National Chairman of the NPP in 1998 and served until 2001, overseeing the party during its historic electoral victory in December 2000.
He was subsequently appointed Ghana’s High Commissioner to Canada, a position he held from 2001 to 2006.
The family said his public life was defined by principled leadership and commitment to national service.
”Mr Odoi-Sykes will be remembered for his principled character, courage, firm leadership, intellectual independence and lifelong commitment to public service,” the family said.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs Edith Amorkor Sykes, and four children: Mrs Cynthia Omaboe, Mrs Mavis Amoa, Mr Vincent Sykes and Mr Frank Sykes.
The family said funeral arrangements would be announced in due course.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey