Ghana’s Naomi Oti wins Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award
Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti, a leading oncology nurse from Ghana, has been named the 2025 recipient of the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award, securing the top honour from a pool of 100,000 applicants spanning 199 countries. The prestigious award, which includes a $250,000 cash prize, was presented at a ceremony in Dubai by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence.
Currently serving as head of nursing at the National Radiotherapy Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Centre at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ohene Oti has spent more than 20 years addressing the stark disparities in cancer care across Ghana and the African continent. Her work has centered on training, outreach, and structural reforms aimed at building sustainable and equitable cancer care systems.
“This award is not mine alone,” she said in her acceptance speech. “It is a tribute to every nurse who meets inequity with compassion, and every colleague who strives for better care in challenging settings.”
Under her leadership, Ghana’s oncology nursing landscape has undergone transformative growth. She played a key role in launching specialized training programs in collaboration with global institutions, such as Canada’s Cross Cancer Institute. In 2015, she co-developed Ghana’s first postgraduate oncology nursing curriculum, which has since produced over 60 specialist oncology nurses and 10 breast care nurses.
Ohene Oti’s impact extends beyond national borders. She contributes to policy development and nurse education across Africa, serving on the education and training committee of the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), co-investigating international cancer care grants, and collaborating with global organisations including ASCO and ISNCC. Her advocacy emphasizes culturally sensitive and accessible cancer care.
Her recognition comes amid renewed international focus on the critical role of nurses. At the ceremony, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus shared a message applauding nurses as foundational to health systems worldwide.
Established in 2021 by Aster DM Healthcare, the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award honours excellence in nursing leadership, innovation, research, and community impact. The 2025 edition saw a 28% increase in applications compared to the previous year, reflecting the profession’s growing global prominence.
“Nurse Naomi Ohene Oti has expanded the definition of nursing—blending care with leadership, vision, and transformation,” said Dr. Azad Moopen, founder of Aster DM Healthcare.
Alongside Ohene Oti, nine other finalists from countries including the USA, India, Kenya, Malaysia, and Switzerland were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the field. Finalists were selected through a rigorous process managed by Ernst & Young LLP and independent international juries.
The award not only celebrates individual achievement but also shines a light on the vital contributions of nurses in improving public health outcomes, especially in underserved communities around the world.
Written by Kweku Sampson
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