Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti, a distinguished oncology nurse from Ghana, has won the prestigious 2025 Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award, earning global recognition and a $250,000 cash prize for her groundbreaking work in cancer care, nurse education, and healthcare system reform across Africa. The award was presented in a grand ceremony held in Dubai by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE’s Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence.
Selected from a record-breaking pool of over 100,000 nominees from 199 countries, Ohene Oti currently serves as the head of nursing at the National Radiotherapy Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Centre at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra. Her victory marks a milestone for Ghana and the African continent in the global healthcare arena, spotlighting the transformative impact nurses can have beyond bedside care.
With more than 20 years of experience, Ohene Oti has been a relentless advocate for equitable cancer care, especially in low-resource settings. She has been instrumental in establishing Ghana’s first-ever postgraduate oncology nursing curriculum in 2015, which has so far trained over 60 oncology nurse specialists and 10 breast care nurses. The curriculum, developed in partnership with the University of Ghana and supported by Canada’s Cross Cancer Institute, has laid the foundation for a new generation of specialized nurses equipped to tackle Africa’s rising cancer burden.
Her impact, however, extends well beyond Ghana. As a member of the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC) and a co-investigator on the Global Bridges Oncology grant, she has influenced cancer nursing education, research, and policy continent-wide. She collaborates with global institutions, including the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care (ISNCC), consistently advocating for culturally responsive, equitable, and sustainable cancer care solutions in Africa.
In her heartfelt acceptance speech, Ohene Oti stated, “This award is not mine alone. It belongs to every nurse in Ghana, Africa, and the world who leads with compassion, resilience, and innovation. Together, we are breaking barriers and changing lives.” She emphasized that her mission is far from over, noting the urgent need for continued investment in health education and nurse-led systems reform.
The Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award, launched in 2021 by Aster DM Healthcare, recognizes exceptional nurses for their contributions in areas such as clinical excellence, leadership, education, innovation, and community impact. This year’s edition saw a 28% increase in applications from the previous year, highlighting the growing global attention toward nursing excellence. A rigorous selection process overseen by Ernst & Young LLP and a two-tier international jury panel resulted in the final shortlist of 10 global finalists.
Dr. Azad Moopen, founder of Aster DM Healthcare, praised Ohene Oti’s achievement, saying, “Naomi exemplifies what it means to be a modern nurse, a leader, a policymaker, and an agent of change. Her work in advancing oncology nursing in underserved regions is nothing short of revolutionary.”
Other finalists hailed from countries including Switzerland, the USA, Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea, Kenya, Malaysia, the UAE, and India, showcasing a rich tapestry of global nursing leadership.
The ceremony also featured a message from WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who lauded the vital contributions of nurses worldwide, particularly in advancing universal health coverage and achieving sustainable development goals.
Ohene Oti’s recognition comes at a critical time when global healthcare systems are being re-evaluated post-pandemic, and the role of nurses is increasingly acknowledged as essential in shaping resilient and inclusive public health infrastructures. Her story is not just one of individual success, but a beacon of hope and inspiration for healthcare professionals across Africa and the world.
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