Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti, an Oncology Nurse Specialist at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana, has been named the winner of the prestigious Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2025, earning a $250,000 cash prize. She was selected from over 100,000 nominations across 199 countries, a testament to her exceptional impact on healthcare across Africa.
“This moment belongs to every nurse in Ghana and Africa. It proves that dedication, compassion, and innovation in healthcare do not go unnoticed,” said an emotional Naomi during the award presentation ceremony on Monday, May 26, 2025, in Dubai.
Naomi, who also heads nursing at Ghana’s National Radiotherapy Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Centre, was honoured for her transformative leadership in cancer care, both in Ghana and on the continental stage.
With over 23 years of service, Naomi has pioneered specialist oncology nurse training in Ghana, mentored over 60 oncology nurses, and was instrumental in developing the country’s first postgraduate oncology nursing curriculum in 2015.
Her influence extends globally. She serves as:
- Global faculty member for the American Society of Clinical Oncology,
- Co-investigator on the Global Bridges Oncology Grant,
- Member of the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC).
Prior to this global honour, Naomi had already received:
- Ghana’s Ministry of Health Excellence Award, and
- The Dr. Dorcia Kisseh International Award.
She now joins a select group of global nurses recognized for their contributions to humanity. Past winners of the Aster award include:
- Anna Qabale Duba (Kenya, 2022),
- Margaret Helen Shepherd (UK, 2023), and
- Maria Victoria Juan (Philippines, 2024).
This year’s awards saw another African, Khadija Mohamed Juma from Kenya, make it to the top 10 finalists. Their presence highlights Africa’s rising role in global healthcare leadership.
Other top 2025 finalists came from Switzerland, Papua New Guinea, the UAE, Hong Kong SAR, USA, India, and Malaysia—reflecting the award’s global footprint.
The Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award, launched in 2022 by Aster DM Healthcare, aims to spotlight the unsung heroes of global health. Each year, the award honours one nurse whose work exemplifies compassion, innovation, and life-changing service.
