The New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has led the party’s national leadership to the family of its late former National Chairman, Samuel Arthur Odoi-Sykes, to offer condolences following his death on October 5, 2026.

The delegation included National Chairman John Boadu, General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong and members of the party’s national executive body, who visited the bereaved family to pay their respects to the veteran politician, lawyer, and diplomat.

The visit was an expression of the party’s appreciation for Odoi-Sykes’ contributions to its development and Ghana’s democratic progress over several decades.

Odoi-Sykes, who died at the age of 98, was one of the founding members of the NPP and served as its National Chairman from 1998 to 2001. His tenure culminated in the party’s historic victory in the December 2000 general elections, when John Agyekum Kufuor defeated the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, John Evans Atta Mills, to become President.

His death was announced by his family, which described him as a distinguished public servant whose life was marked by principled leadership, courage, intellectual independence and a commitment to public service. The cause of death has not been publicly disclosed in the reports available.

Beyond party politics, Odoi-Sykes had a distinguished career in Parliament and diplomacy. He was elected Member of Parliament for Ashiedu Keteke, now part of the Odododiodioo constituency, in the 1979 elections and became Minority Leader in 1980.

He entered Ghana’s Foreign Service in 1961 after working as a teacher and serving at the Ministry of Information. His diplomatic assignments took him to several countries, including India, the United States, the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom.

He later served as Ghana’s High Commissioner to Canada from 2001 to 2006, following his tenure as NPP National Chairman.

The late politician was educated at Accra Academy, the University of Ghana, the University of London and Johns Hopkins University in the United States. He was also called to the Bar at the Inner Temple in the United Kingdom before being admitted to the Ghana Bar.

Following news of his death, Dr Bawumia paid tribute to the veteran politician, describing him as a founding member whose contribution to the party and the country would not be forgotten.

In a separate tribute, the NPP described Odoi-Sykes as one of its founding pillars, crediting his leadership and service with helping to strengthen the party and advance constitutional democracy in Ghana.

His death marks the loss of a senior figure whose political and diplomatic career spanned several important periods in Ghana’s history, including the restoration of constitutional rule in 1979 and the NPP’s rise to power in 2000.

Odoi-Sykes is survived by his wife, Edith Amorkor Sykes, and four children: Cynthia Omaboe, Mavis Amoa, Vincent Sykes and Frank Sykes.

The family has indicated that details of his funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.

EA