Ghanaian oncology nurse, Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti, has been named the winner of the 2025 Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award, in recognition of her groundbreaking contributions to cancer care and nursing education across Africa.
Presented in Dubai by the UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the award includes a $250,000 prize. Ohene Oti was selected from a pool of 100,000 applicants spanning 199 countries.
Currently the Head of Nursing at the National Radiotherapy Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Centre at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, she has spent over two decades working to address disparities in cancer care in Ghana and the wider continent. Her efforts have centred on education, outreach, and structural reforms to strengthen oncology services.
“For more than 20 years, I have seen the deep inequities in cancer care and committed myself to bridging those gaps through training and system-level change,” Ohene Oti said upon receiving the award. “This honour is not mine alone it belongs to every nurse across Ghana, Africa, and the world who leads with courage, compassion, and dedication.”
Under her leadership, Ghana’s oncology nursing field has undergone significant transformation. She was instrumental in developing Ghana’s postgraduate oncology nursing curriculum in 2015, a programme that has so far produced over 60 specialist oncology nurses and 10 breast care nurses. She also facilitated training partnerships with global institutions, including Canada’s Cross Cancer Institute.
Also Read:Â Tinubu Congratulates Opeyemi Bright, Jason Jackson on Historic Mayoral Wins
Beyond national efforts, Ohene Oti has made her mark on international cancer care policy. She serves on the education and training committee of the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), co-leads a Global Bridges Oncology project, and works with international bodies such as the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care (ISNCC). Her advocacy consistently emphasises culturally sensitive and equitable care across African health systems.
Her win comes at a time when global attention is increasingly focused on the critical role nurses play in health systems. The award ceremony included a message from the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who described nurses as the backbone of global healthcare.
The Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award, launched in 2021 by Aster DM Healthcare, celebrates outstanding contributions by nurses in leadership, innovation, research, and community impact. This year’s edition saw a 28% rise in applications compared to 2024.
“Nurse Naomi Ohene Oti embodies what it means to be a nurse in the 21st century not just a caregiver, but a visionary leader and a force for change,” said Dr Azad Moopen, Founder of Aster DM Healthcare.
In addition to Ohene Oti, nine other finalists from countries including the USA, India, Kenya, Switzerland, and Malaysia were recognised for their exceptional service. The selection process was overseen by Ernst & Young LLP and evaluated by two independent juries.
The award not only highlights individual excellence but also underscores the vital role of nurses in achieving global health equity, particularly in low-resource settings.
