BY Grace Zigah
The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has presented GHC50,000 cash package to Naomi Oyo Ohene-Oti, a Ghanaian oncology nurse whose dedication to cancer care recently earned her the 2025 Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award, one of the most prestigious recognitions in the nursing profession worldwide.
Ohene-Oti, who has spent years working with cancer patients in Ghana, was selected from thousands of applicants across the globe for her outstanding service in oncology nursing.
Her recognition comes at a time when the country is grappling with increasing cases of non-communicable diseases, including cancer, and a pressing need for specialized care.
Presenting the award at a brief ceremony in Accra, Ohene-Oti handed over her international accolade to the Ministry of Health in what she described as a gesture of national pride.
She noted that her achievement was not only personal but also symbolic of the resilience, commitment, and skill of Ghanaian nurses.
Mintah Akandoh, in response, lauded her for “lifting the flag of Ghana high” on the global stage and assured her that the government and people of Ghana were immensely proud of her accomplishment.
He emphasized that the GHC50,000 support package was a token of appreciation for her selfless service and global recognition.
Minister expressed confidence that her recognition would serve as an inspiration to other Ghanaian health professionals across disciplines—doctors, pharmacists, midwives, and other frontline workers.
“Your achievement is Ghana’s achievement. This support is not just from me but from the Ministry of Health and the entire nation, which celebrates you today,” he declared.
Akandoh further called on regulators, unions, and training institutions to collaborate with government to strengthen the health sector.
“Wisdom is not in one person’s head. Together, we can make Ghana’s healthcare system one of the best on the continent,” he stressed.
The Health Minister used the occasion to underscore the vital role nurses play in the country’s healthcare system, particularly in rural and underserved areas where doctors are often absent. “Nurses are the backbone of healthcare delivery.
Their sacrifice, compassion, and professionalism sustain the system, and government remains committed to their welfare,” he said.
As part of ongoing reforms in the nursing sector, Mintah Akandoh highlighted that nursing training school fees have been reduced by nearly half compared to last year, easing the burden on students.
He also revealed that nursing trainee allowances are being paid regularly and that government is working towards elevating some training institutions into degree-awarding facilities to enhance professional standards.
