Samuel Arthur Odoi-Sykes, a former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party and one-time Minority Leader of Parliament, has died at the age of 98, according to Graphic Online.
A family statement cited by Graphic Online said he died on Monday, October 5, 2026. The family described him as a man of principled character, courage and firm leadership, and said he held a lifelong commitment to public service and intellectual independence.
Why it matters
Odoi-Sykes led the NPP from 1998 to 2001, a stretch that ended with the party's historic victory in the December 2000 general election — its first win in the Fourth Republic. Graphic Online reports that he is remembered for steering the party through that period.
His death drew a tribute from the party's leader and flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who described him as a founding member of the NPP. In the tribute, Bawumia said he was deeply saddened by the passing and that Odoi-Sykes holds an honoured place in the party's history for leading it to that first general election victory in 2000.
From the classroom to the Foreign Service
Odoi-Sykes was born in Accra and began his working life as a teacher, Graphic Online reports. He later joined the Ministry of Information and, in 1961, entered Ghana's Foreign Service.
His diplomatic postings took him to several countries, among them India, the United States, the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom. According to Graphic Online, the roles he held along the way included First Secretary, Press Attaché, Minister-Counsellor, Deputy Ambassador to the Soviet Union and Deputy High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
He trained as a lawyer and was a Barrister-at-Law, called to the Bar at the Inner Temple before his admission to the Ghana Bar. His education took him to Accra Academy, the University of Ghana, the University of London and Johns Hopkins University.
Parliament, party and a posting to Canada
Odoi-Sykes entered Parliament after winning the Ashiedu Keteke seat in the 1979 elections, and in 1980 he became Minority Leader, per Graphic Online.
After his time as NPP National Chairman, he served as Ghana's High Commissioner to Canada from 2001 to 2006.
He is survived by his wife, Edith Amorkor Sykes, and four children: Cynthia Omaboe, Mavis Amoa, Vincent Sykes and Frank Sykes.
The family said funeral arrangements would be announced in due course.
Note: Some outlets reported his age as 97; this article follows Graphic Online's figure of 98.
