Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti, an oncology nurse from Ghana, has been awarded the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2025.
The award, worth $250,000, was presented to Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti during a ceremony in Dubai by the UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan.
Ohene Oti, head of nursing at the National Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Center at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, was selected from 100,000 candidates representing 199 countries.
Her work aims to reduce inequalities in cancer care in Ghana and across Africa, particularly through education and system reforms.
"For over two decades, I have been a direct witness to the inequalities in cancer care, and I have dedicated myself to bridging these gaps through training, awareness, and systemic changes," she said during the ceremony. "This recognition is not just mine; it belongs to all nurses in Ghana, Africa, and the world who demonstrate resilience, compassion, and courage," she added.
Under her leadership, the oncology nursing sector in Ghana has seen significant developments. She contributed to launching training programs in collaboration with international institutions, including the Cross Cancer Institute in Canada.
She was also part of the team that developed the postdoctoral nursing oncology program in Ghana in 2015, which has since trained over 60 oncology nurses and 10 breast care nurses, as reported by Africanews.
Ohene Oti, who also sits on the training and education committee of the African Organization for Cancer Research and Training (OAREC), is a co-researcher under the Global Bridges Oncology Fellowship and collaborates with international organizations such as ASCO and ISNCC. Her advocacy focuses on culturally adapted and equitable cancer care.
The Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award, launched in 2021 by Aster DM Healthcare, aims to highlight the contributions of nurses in areas such as leadership, research, innovation, and community service. This year, the number of applications increased by 28% compared to 2024.
"Nurse Naomi Ohene Oti has redefined the nursing profession – not only as a caregiver but also as an innovator, leader, and agent of change," said Dr. Azad Moopen, founder of Aster DM Healthcare.
