Dr. Samuel Sarpong, affectionately known as Sammy Tugar and Castro, was born on 7th November 1957 at Adadientem to Mr. Kwabena Mensah Sarpong (of blessed memory) and Mrs. Agnes Boakye Sarpong.

From humble beginnings, he rose to become a distinguished public servant, politician, and community leader whose life was marked by service, courage, and resilience.

His early education took him through Adadientem, Besease R/C, Sefwi Wiawso, and finally Esease Middle School, where he completed his basic schooling.

He proceeded to Osei Tutu Secondary School, then to Wesley College, where he trained as a teacher. He was a cross-country runner and a high jumper. Upon completion, he taught at Juaben Secondary School from 1981 to 1982 as a physical education (P.E.) and Asante Twi teacher. Dr. Sarpong’s leadership qualities quickly became evident, earning him the role of PDC Coordinator for the Ejisu/Juaben District. He coordinated the Programme of Action to Mitigate the Social Costs of Adjustment (PAMSCAD).

His pursuit of higher learning and specialized knowledge led him abroad—first to Cuba, where he studied criminology, and later to Bulgaria for further studies.

His professional career was diverse and impactful. He served with the Special Branch (now BNI), the Ashanti Regional Investigation Committee (ASHRIC), which later became the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), and subsequently the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). He also served as Acting Director of SFO for the Northern Sector, covering the Ashanti, Bono Ahafo, Northern, Upper East, and Upper West regions.

In politics, Dr. Sarpong held numerous leadership roles, including Mayor of Kumasi (2009), Ashanti Regional Minister (2013), Central Regional Minister, and Parliamentary Candidate for Nyiaeso (NDC) in 2016.

He also served as Director of the State Housing Corporation. In addition, he later obtained an Executive Master’s Degree from GIMPA. He is the Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). His commitment to party development was evident in his instrumental role in building the NDC Party Office at Nyiaeso.

He treated people equally irrespective of their color, creed, or political affiliation. He was a founding member of the NDC.

A respected traditional leader, Dr. Sarpong was enstooled as Nkosohene of Cape Coast. He was married to Mrs. Hannah Sarpong, and together they were blessed with five children; four boys and one girl. A GAF helicopter crash on August 6, 2025, in Adansi Akrofrom in the Ashanti Region claimed the lives of Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator.

It also claimed the lives of Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Mr. Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director-General, NADMO, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manden Twum-Ampadu and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.