Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti, an oncology nurse from Ghana, has been awarded the 2025 Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award, securing a $250,000 prize for her groundbreaking contributions to cancer care and nurse education across Africa. The prestigious accolade was presented in Dubai by UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, during a ceremony celebrating nursing excellence. Chosen from over 100,000 applicants from 199 countries, Ohene Oti is the Head of Nursing at the National Radiotherapy Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Centre at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra. Her two-decade career has focused on reducing disparities in cancer treatment through education, system reform, and community outreach.
She co-developed Ghana’s first postgraduate oncology nursing curriculum in 2015, leading to the training of 60 oncology specialists and 10 breast care nurses. Ohene Oti has also spearheaded training partnerships with institutions such as Canada’s Cross Cancer Institute, helping to elevate the standard of cancer care delivery in low-resource settings. Beyond Ghana, she contributes to continental cancer policy through roles with the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care (ISNCC).
“This award belongs to every nurse who leads with resilience and compassion,” Ohene Oti said at the ceremony. The event also featured remarks from WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who praised nurses as pillars of healthcare globally. Launched in 2021 by Aster DM Healthcare, the Global Nursing Award recognizes outstanding contributions in leadership, research, innovation, and community service. This year’s edition saw a 28% rise in submissions compared to 2024. Ohene Oti topped a shortlist of 10 global finalists from countries including the U.S., India, Kenya, Switzerland, and Papua New Guinea.
Dr. Azad Moopen, founder of Aster DM Healthcare, hailed her as “a changemaker redefining nursing through innovation and leadership.” The award not only honors her individual efforts but also underscores the critical role of nurses in global health equity.
