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A Historic Victory for Ghana and Africa: Ghana is celebrating a historic achievement as Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti, a renowned oncology nurse specialist at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, has been named the winner of the 2025 Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award. Naomi received the prestigious honor at a grand ceremony in Dubai on Monday, May 26, 2025, and was awarded a cash prize of $250,000. Selected from over 100,000 nominations submitted by nurses in 199 countries, she was one of ten finalists recognized for their outstanding contributions to healthcare—and emerged as the ultimate winner, marking a proud moment for Ghana and Africa on the global stage.

Transforming Cancer Care Through Nursing Leadership: Naomi’s win is a powerful affirmation of her pioneering work in transforming cancer care and elevating the nursing profession in Africa. With a career spanning over 23 years, she has played a defining role in building specialist oncology capacity in Ghana and beyond. She was instrumental in establishing Ghana’s first formal oncology nurse training program, which has since trained more than 60 oncology nurse specialists and 10 breast care nurses. In 2015, she developed Ghana’s first postgraduate curriculum in oncology nursing, laying the foundation for structured, advanced training in the field.

Shaping Continental Policy and Mentoring Future Leaders: Her leadership has not only influenced national frameworks but has also shaped cancer nursing policy and education at the continental level. Naomi currently serves as a member of the Education and Training Committee for the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), and as co-investigator on the Global Bridges Oncology GM Grant. She has mentored over 48 nurses from across Africa and continues to champion nurse-led education and research as a central strategy for cancer control on the continent.

Global Recognition for Local Impact: Beyond the African context, Naomi’s impact extends to global platforms. She is a faculty member for the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s Multidisciplinary Cancer Management Courses and a respected voice in international oncology nursing networks. Her work reflects a deep commitment to building resilient health systems through empowered, well-trained nursing professionals.

A Trail of Prestigious Honours: In recognition of her exceptional service, Naomi has previously received the Ministry of Health’s Excellence Award and the Dr. Dorcia Kisseh International Award. Now, with the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award—the world’s most prestigious honor for nurses—her contributions are celebrated on a truly global platform. In her acceptance speech, Naomi dedicated the award to nurses across the continent who continue to push boundaries and lead change. “This is not just my achievement—it is a celebration of every African nurse who dares to lead, innovate, and serve,” she said. Launched in 2022 by Aster DM Healthcare, the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award highlights the critical role nurses play in advancing health outcomes and bridging global health gaps. Past recipients include Anna Qabale Duba of Kenya (2022), Margaret Helen Shepherd of the UK (2023), and Maria Victoria Juan of the Philippines (2024). Naomi joins this distinguished circle, bringing African excellence to the forefront of global healthcare innovation.

A Legacy of Impact and a Future of Possibility: Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti’s victory not only honors her personal dedication and professional brilliance but also signifies Ghana’s rising influence in global cancer care. Her legacy continues to inspire a new generation of health leaders committed to transforming lives and systems across Africa and the world

Written by Abdulsalam Mohammed: CEO of Oxygen Health   

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