Ghana's Naomi Oti named finalist for $250K global nursing award
Ghanaian oncology nurse and educator, Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti, has been named one of ten finalists for the prestigious Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2025.
The accolade, which carries a grand prize of $250,000, celebrates nurses whose work significantly advances healthcare and community service. The announcement was made by Aster DM Healthcare on 7 May 2025.
Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti, a Ghanaian oncology nurse, is a finalist for the 2025 Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award.
The winner of the $250,000 award will be announced in Dubai on 26 May 2025, following public voting and jury evaluation.
She led the establishment of Ghana's first formal oncology nurse training program, producing over 60 certified specialists.
Oti, who heads nursing at the National Radiotherapy, Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Centre at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, emerged from a pool of over 100,000 nominations spanning 199 countries a 28% rise in submissions from the previous year.
The finalists were selected through an intensive, multi-tiered evaluation by international healthcare experts and the Grand Jury, with independent oversight provided by Ernst & Young LLP.
Pioneering Nurse-led cancer innovations in Ghana and beyond
Renowned for her pioneering work in oncology education and policy reform, Oti was instrumental in launching Ghana's first formal oncology nurse training programme. The initiative has already produced more than 60 certified oncology specialists and 10 breast care nurses.
Her influence extends beyond Ghana's borders. Oti plays a key role in the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC) and is co-investigator on the Global Bridges Oncology Grant. She has mentored nearly 50 nurses across Africa, boosting cancer care capabilities and promoting nurse-led healthcare innovations.
'Naomi exemplifies the power of nurses to drive systemic healthcare transformation,' said Dr Azad Moopen, Founder and Chairman of Aster DM Healthcare. 'This year's finalists show us what nursing leadership looks like when it combines clinical excellence with compassion and strategic vision.'
Raising the profile of African nurses globally
Oti is one of two African finalists, joined by Kenya's Khadija Mohamed Juma, the creator of the RedSplash app, which enhances emergency blood donation services. Their inclusion highlights the rising global influence of African nurses, especially in oncology and public health innovation.
Finalists also hail from India, the United States, Switzerland, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the UAE, and Hong Kong SAR. Together, they represent a global shift in recognising nurses not only as caregivers but as leaders, researchers, and educators driving change.
Now in its fourth year, the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award seeks to spotlight outstanding contributions across five key pillars: clinical practice, education, leadership, community engagement, and research.
With Oti's recognition, Ghana's nursing excellence—and Africa's broader contribution to global health—is gaining well-deserved international attention.
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