Diaspora (Commonwealth Union) _ Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti, a trailblazing oncology nurse from Ghana, has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award, receiving a $250,000 prize for her groundbreaking contributions to cancer care and nursing education in Africa.
The award was presented at a grand ceremony in Dubai by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence. Ohene Oti emerged as the winner from a staggering pool of 100,000 nominees across 199 countries, solidifying her place among the world’s most impactful healthcare professionals.
Currently leading the nursing team at the National Radiotherapy Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Centre at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ohene Oti has spent over two decades on the frontlines of Ghana’s fight against cancer. Her mission has been clear: to confront and close the vast inequities in cancer care that persist across Africa.
“For over two decades, I have witnessed the inequities in cancer care firsthand and dedicated myself to closing these gaps through training, outreach, and system-level change,” she said during her acceptance speech. “This recognition is not mine alone it belongs to every nurse across Ghana, Africa, and the world who leads with resilience, compassion, and courage.”
Under her visionary leadership, Ghana’s oncology nursing sector has undergone remarkable transformation. Ohene Oti played a pivotal role in launching specialized training programs in partnership with international institutions such as the Cross Cancer Institute in Canada. Her efforts culminated in the development of Ghana’s curriculum for postgraduate oncology nursing in 2015, which has since produced over 60 oncology nurse specialists and 10 breast care nurses.
Beyond national borders, her work continues to shape cancer care policy and training across the continent. She holds key roles in international organizations, including serving on the education and training committee of the African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), acting as a co-investigator on a Global Bridges Oncology grant, and collaborating with renowned bodies such as ASCO and the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care (ISNCC). Her advocacy centers on ensuring that cancer care is both culturally relevant and equitable for African patients.
This year’s award was announced amid growing global recognition of the nursing profession as a backbone of healthcare systems. The ceremony featured a video address by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who praised the essential and often unsung contributions of nurses worldwide.
Launched in 2021 by Aster DM Healthcare, the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award celebrates excellence in nursing in areas such as leadership, innovation, research, and community impact. The 2025 cycle saw a 28% increase in applications compared to 2024, reflecting the rising visibility and importance of nursing on the global stage.
“Nurse Naomi Ohene Oti has redefined what it means to be a nurse not just as a caregiver but as an innovator, leader, and changemaker,” said Dr. Azad Moopen, founder and chairman of Aster DM Healthcare.
In addition to Ohene Oti’s remarkable win, nine other finalists were honored for their exemplary work in healthcare. They represented a diverse global cohort from Switzerland, Papua New Guinea, the UAE, Hong Kong, the USA, Kenya, Malaysia, and India. Finalist selection was conducted through a rigorous vetting process led by Ernst & Young LLP and two independent juries.
The award not only celebrates individual excellence but also spotlights the critical role nurses play in improving global public health, especially in under-resourced regions. As the world continues to grapple with complex health challenges, leaders like Naomi Ohene Oti remind us that transformative change often begins with a single voice and a deep commitment to care.
