Ghana’s Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti wins $250,000 Aster Global Nursing Award

Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti, an Oncology Nurse Specialist at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, has won the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2025. She received a cash prize of $250,000. Mrs. Oti was chosen from over 100,000 nominations from 199 countries. She is one of the top 10 global finalists. Her win highlights African healthcare on the international stage.

The award recognizes exceptional nurses worldwide for their leadership and impact in healthcare. Mrs. Oti also serves as Head of Nursing at Ghana’s National Radiotherapy Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Centre. She was honored for her contributions to cancer care across Africa.

With over 23 years of experience, Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti has made significant strides in oncology nursing in Ghana. She has trained over 60 oncology nurse specialists and 10 breast care nurses. In 2015, she developed Ghana’s first postgraduate oncology nursing curriculum. Additionally, she played a key role in building specialist oncology capacity nationwide.

Mrs. Oti's work extends internationally as well. She is a member of the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC). She is also a co-investigator on the Global Bridges Oncology Grant and a global faculty member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

In recognition of her achievements, Mrs. Oti has received several awards. These include the Ministry of Health’s Excellence Award and the Dr Dorcia Kisseh International Award.

The Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award was launched in 2022 by Aster DM Healthcare. It celebrates nurses' vital contributions to global health and connects healthcare stakeholders worldwide.

In previous years:
- In 2022, Anna Qabale Duba from Kenya won with over 24,000 nominees.
- In 2023, Margaret Helen Shepherd from the UK received the award in London.
- In 2024, Maria Victoria Juan from the Philippines won in Bengaluru, India.

For the 2025 award, ten remarkable nurses were shortlisted globally:
1. Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti – Ghana
2. Khadija Mohamed Juma – Kenya
3. Catherine Maree Holliday – Switzerland
4. Edith Namba – Papua New Guinea
5. Fitz Gerald Dalina Camacho – UAE
6. Dr Jed Ray Gengoba Montayre – Hong Kong SAR
7. Dr Jose Arnold Tariga – USA
8. Maheswari Jaganathan – Malaysia
9. Dr Sukhpal Kaur – India
10. Vibhaben Gunvantbhai Salaliya – India

Mrs. Oti’s recognition affirms Ghana’s growing role in advancing cancer care in Africa and celebrates dedicated nursing professionals globally.