The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has mourned the death of Ambassador Samuel Arthur Odoi-Sykes, describing him as one of the party’s founding pillars and a distinguished statesman who devoted decades to Ghana’s democratic development.
In a statement signed by NPP National Chairman John Boadu, the party said Odoi-Sykes’ death marks “the end of an illustrious chapter in Ghana’s political history.”
Odoi-Sykes was a founding member of the NPP and served as the party’s National Chairman from 1998 to 2001.
His tenure included the party’s historic electoral victory in the 2000 general elections, which resulted in the first democratic transfer of power between political parties under Ghana’s Fourth Republic.
The NPP credited him with playing a key role in strengthening the party’s institutional and ideological foundations during its formative years.
Before becoming National Chairman, Odoi-Sykes had already established himself in national politics. He served as Member of Parliament for Ashiedu Keteke, now Odododiodioo, during Ghana’s Third Republic and later became Minority Leader of Parliament.
According to the NPP, he distinguished himself in Parliament through his leadership and advocacy for constitutional democracy.
Following the NPP’s 2000 electoral victory, Odoi-Sykes continued his service to the country on the diplomatic front.
He served as Ghana’s High Commissioner to Canada from 2001 to 2006, representing the country and contributing to the strengthening of Ghana-Canada relations.
The party said that throughout his career, Odoi-Sykes served on several national and party committees, where he provided counsel, strategic leadership and institutional memory.
The NPP described him as a man of integrity, humility and intellect whose commitment to Ghana’s democratic development earned him respect beyond partisan lines.
While the country had lost a distinguished public servant, the NPP had lost “one of its most respected elder statesmen and steadfast architects.”
