Former Minority Leader of Parliament and former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Samuel Arthur Odoi Sykes, has died at the age of 98.
Mr Odoi Sykes, a distinguished lawyer, diplomat, parliamentarian and statesman, passed away on Monday, October 5, 2026, according to an announcement issued by his family.
His death brings to an end a remarkable public career that spanned the legal profession, education, public administration, diplomacy and partisan politics, earning him a place among Ghana’s notable political and diplomatic figures.
Mr Odoi Sykes was trained at the Inner Temple in the United Kingdom, where he was called to the Bar before subsequently being admitted to practise law in Ghana.
His professional journey began in education when he worked as a teacher before moving into public administration at the Ministry of Information. In 1961, he entered Ghana’s Foreign Service, beginning a diplomatic career that would take him to several important international postings.
His diplomatic assignments included service in New Delhi, Washington, Moscow and London, where he held various positions including First Secretary, Press Attaché, Minister Counsellor, Deputy Ambassador to the Soviet Union and Deputy High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
Mr Odoi Sykes entered Ghanaian parliamentary politics following his election as Member of Parliament for the Ashiedu Keteke Constituency in the 1979 elections. In 1980, he assumed the position of Minority Leader.
He was subsequently associated with the formation of the New Patriotic Party and became the party’s National Chairman in 1998. He remained in that position until 2001, during which period the party achieved its historic first presidential and parliamentary electoral victory in December 2000. His political and diplomatic record is also documented in historical sources on his career.
Following the electoral victory, Mr Odoi Sykes was appointed Ghana’s High Commissioner to Canada, a position he occupied from 2001 until 2006.
Born in Accra, he received his early education at Accra Academy before pursuing further studies at the University of Ghana, the University of London and Johns Hopkins University.
His family said he would be remembered for his unwavering principles, personal courage, intellectual independence, firm leadership and enduring dedication to public service.
Mr Odoi Sykes is survived by his wife, Mrs Edith Amorkor Sykes, and four children, Cynthia Omaboe, Mavis Amoa, Vincent Sykes and Frank Sykes.
The family said arrangements for his funeral would be communicated to the public at an appropriate time.
