Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti, an Oncology Nurse Specialist at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, has won the prestigious Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2025, earning a cash prize of $250,000.
Mrs. Oti was selected from over 100,000 nominations submitted from 199 countries and emerged among the top 10 global finalists.
Her win, alongside finalist Khadija Mohamed Juma of Kenya, marks a proud moment for African healthcare on the international stage.
She received the award at a grand ceremony held in Dubai on Monday, May 26, 2025.
Honouring Healthcare Leadership
The Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award recognises exceptional nurses worldwide who have shown outstanding leadership, commitment, and impact in the healthcare sector.
Mrs. Oti, who also serves as Head of Nursing at Ghana’s National Radiotherapy Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Centre, was honoured for her transformational contributions to cancer care across Africa.
A Legacy of Service and Innovation
With a career spanning over 23 years, Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti has made pioneering strides in oncology nursing in Ghana. She has:
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Trained and mentored over 60 oncology nurse specialists and 10 breast care nurses
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Developed Ghana’s first postgraduate oncology nursing curriculum in 2015
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Played a key role in building specialist oncology capacity nationwide
Her work extends internationally as well. She is:
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A member of the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC)
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A co-investigator on the Global Bridges Oncology Grant
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A global faculty member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s Multidisciplinary Cancer Management Courses
In recognition of her achievements, Mrs. Oti has received numerous honours, including the Ministry of Health’s Excellence Award and the Dr Dorcia Kisseh International Award.
A Global Stage for Nurses
The Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award was launched in 2022 by Aster DM Healthcare to celebrate the vital contributions of nurses to global health and to connect healthcare stakeholders across continents.
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2022: Anna Qabale Duba (Kenya) won the inaugural award from over 24,000 nominees.
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2023: Margaret Helen Shepherd (UK), a leading diabetes nurse, was awarded at a ceremony in London.
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2024: Maria Victoria Juan (Philippines), a military nurse, won the award in Bengaluru, India.
Finalists for the 2025 Award
The 2025 award shortlisted ten remarkable nurses from across the globe:
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Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti – Ghana
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Khadija Mohamed Juma – Kenya
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Catherine Maree Holliday – Switzerland
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Edith Namba – Papua New Guinea
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Fitz Gerald Dalina Camacho – UAE
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Dr Jed Ray Gengoba Montayre – Hong Kong SAR
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Dr Jose Arnold Tariga – USA
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Maheswari Jaganathan – Malaysia
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Dr Sukhpal Kaur – India
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Vibhaben Gunvantbhai Salaliya – India
Mrs. Oti’s recognition affirms Ghana’s growing role in advancing cancer care in Africa and celebrates the immense value of dedicated nursing professionals on the global frontlines of healthcare.