In a moment that radiated both pride and purpose, Ghanaian oncology nurse Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti was named the winner of the 2025 Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award, receiving a prize of $250,000 at a celebratory ceremony held in Dubai.
Selected from a staggering pool of over 100,000 applicants across 199 countries, Oti emerged as a standout not only for her deep commitment to cancer care in Ghana, but also for her groundbreaking leadership in oncology nursing across the African continent.
“To be honoured with the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award is deeply humbling,” Oti said as she accepted the award.
“This recognition is not mine alone – it belongs to every nurse across Ghana, Africa, and the world who leads with resilience, compassion, and courage.”
The award, launched in 2021 by Aster DM Healthcare, aims to spotlight nurses making extraordinary contributions to healthcare—especially in the areas of leadership, research, innovation, and community service. This year’s edition saw a 28% surge in applications compared to 2024, reflecting the growing global appreciation for the nursing profession.
The honor was presented by His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mabarak Al Nahyan, UAE’s Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, who praised Oti and her fellow finalists for their unwavering service and humanity.
Transforming Cancer Care in Ghana
Naomi Ohene Oti currently serves as the Head of Nursing at the National Radiotherapy Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Centre at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra. For more than two decades, she has been at the forefront of addressing critical gaps in cancer care through both training and system-level advocacy.
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Her achievements include leading the design and implementation of oncology nursing training programs in partnership with the Cross Cancer Institute in Canada. Under her stewardship, over 60 oncology nurse specialists and 10 breast care nurses have been trained in Ghana.
In 2015, she played a pivotal role in shaping Ghana’s postgraduate oncology nursing curriculum, marking a significant step toward building long-term capacity in cancer care delivery.
“I’ve seen the inequities in cancer care firsthand,” she shared.
“This award will allow us to scale up training, support faculty development, and inspire future generations of oncology nurses across Africa.”
A Continental Force in Nursing Advocacy
Oti’s reach extends well beyond Ghana. She serves on the Education and Training Committee of the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC) and co-leads international projects under the Global Bridges Oncology GM Grant. She’s also active within the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care (ISNCC) and ASCO’s Multidisciplinary Cancer Management Courses, where she brings her expertise to global platforms while championing culturally relevant care models.
Her work is a reminder that global health doesn’t just happen in conference rooms—it happens in clinics, classrooms, and communities.
Recognition from Aster DM Healthcare
Alisha Moopen, Managing Director and Group CEO at Aster DM Healthcare, lauded Oti’s influence:
“Naomi’s story is a powerful reminder of the quiet heroism that unfolds every day in hospitals, clinics, and communities across the world,” Moopen said.
“She has redefined what it means to be a nurse—not just as a caregiver, but as an innovator, leader, and changemaker.”
A Win for Ghana. A Win for Global Health.
Oti’s victory is more than personal—it’s a powerful spotlight on the role African healthcare professionals play in shaping global standards. It also serves as a timely reminder of the need to invest in nursing not only as a profession but as a pillar of any strong health system.
As the applause fades and she returns to her work in Accra, one thing is clear: Naomi Ohene Oti is not just raising the bar—she’s redefining it.
