Samuel Arthur Odoi-Sykes, a former national chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and veteran diplomat, has died.
The cause of his death has not been disclosed.
Odoi-Sykes was a lawyer, diplomat and founding member of the NPP. He served as the party’s national chairman between 1998 and 2001, a period that culminated in the NPP’s historic presidential victory under John Agyekum Kufuor in the 2000 elections.
Before his leadership role within the NPP, Odoi-Sykes served as the Member of Parliament for Ashiedu Keteke, now Odododiodio, during Ghana’s Third Republic from 1979 to 1981. He also held the position of Minority Leader between 1980 and 1981.
His career in public service extended to Ghana’s diplomatic service, where he served as deputy high commissioner to Britain from 1970 to 1972.
Years later, he returned to diplomatic service as Ghana’s high commissioner to Canada, a position he held from 2001 to 2006.
Odoi-Sykes began his education at Accra Academy before proceeding to the University of Ghana, where he studied history.
He subsequently trained as a barrister at the Inner Temple in London.
He further pursued studies in the United States, earning a diploma in American Foreign Policy from Johns Hopkins University in Washington.
The NPP paid tribute to Odoi-Sykes as a principled elder statesman, highlighting his longstanding service to the party and his role in Ghana’s democratic development, particularly in strengthening multiparty democracy after years of military rule.
His family is expected to announce details of his funeral arrangements in due course.
