News
Ghanaian nurse Naomi Oti vies for global nursing prize to support health delivery
An oncology nurse specialist and Head of Nursing at the National Radiotherapy Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Centre, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, has been named one of the top 10 finalists in the prestigious ‘Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award’ out of over 100,000 entries worldwide.
Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti, is one of only two Africans to make the final shortlist, and now needs public votes to bring home a historic win for Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement copied to The Spectator in Accra on Tuesday.
According to the statement, currently, the oncology nurse specialist is vying for a cash prize of $250,000 together with other competitors across the world to enable her expand her work in cancer education, mentorship, and care across Africa.
At the National Radiotherapy Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Center, the statement said, she has championed equity in cancer outcomes, pioneered specialist nurse training, and transformed patient care.
“Under her leadership, over 70 oncology and breast care nurses have been trained,” it added.
It mentioned that, Naomi has worked with leading global institutions including the Cross Cancer Institute (Canada) to bring high-quality oncology education to Ghanaian nurses.
According to the statement, she had played a key role in developing the country’s postgraduate oncology nursing curriculum and has mentored more than 48 nurses across Africa.
“Her commitment to building capacity is helping to raise a new generation of empowered African oncology nurse leaders’’.
“Her influence reaches the international stage through her work with the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care (ISNCC), and ASCO’s global faculty’’.
The statement said Ms Oti co-leads research initiatives and policy development efforts that integrate African perspectives into global oncology practices.
It further mentioned that the Nurse Specialist’s groundbreaking research on breast cancer risks among African women has reshaped early detection strategies adding that “her contributions to clinical trial protocols have enhanced patient engagement and data integrity across multiple international studies.”
Ms Oti has received numerous national accolades, including the Ghana Ministry of Health Excellence Award and the Dr Dorcia Kisseh International Award from the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association.
Ghanaians have been urged to vote for Ms Oti through https://apply.asterguardians.com/voting
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has engaged South Africa’ International Relations Minister over xenophobic attacks on Ghanaians.
In a revelation on Facebook, he posted “I have this morning held a telephone conversation with my South African counterpart, His Excellency Ronald Lamola, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation. I called him on the trending videos about Ghanaians coming under extremely disturbing xenophobic attacks in South Africa.”
According to him, ” The South African Foreign Minister has expressed his empathy with the victims and promised full scale investigations into the depressing incidents.”
“The Government of South Africa is set to hold a briefing with African Ambassadors later today,” he added.
Okudzeto Ablakwa also confirmed that since yesterday, he had been in constant contact with Ghana’s High Commissioner in South Africa, His Excellency Benjamin Quarshie, coordinating the country’s response.
“I am gladdened that so far colleagues in our diplomatic mission have located the main victim in the viral video and are offering consular assistance. He is doing very well,” he added
The Minister revealed that “No Ghanaian life has been lost. We urge calm and confidence in our collective capacity to protect Ghanaians.”
He further noted that the Mahama Administration remains uncompromising about the welfare and safety of Ghanaians both home and abroad.
“We are determined to guarantee the protection of all citizens,” he added.
“May these regrettable incidents never quench our Pan-African love and solidarity for each other. The overwhelming majority of Africans are united and share an unbreakable bond — we shall not be divided by the hatred of a few fringe elements,” Okudzeto Ablakwa concluded .
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Odumase-Krobo District Command on Monday, April 20, 2026, arrested a female suspect in connection with the abduction of a nine (9) year old girl at Agormanya Zongo in the Odumase-Krobo district.
On Sunday, April 19, 2026, the Odumase-Krobo district Command received a complaint from victim’s father that his daughter left home and had since not returned.
Following investigations and intelligence, officers from the Odumase-Krobo district with the assistance of BNI personnel at the Accra International Airport arrested suspect Regina Mamle Tawiah, aged 36, and rescued the victim at the Accra International Airport.
Preliminary investigations revealed that suspect was trying to send the victim to Kenya.
Meanwhile, the victim has been reunited with her father.
The suspect, Regina Mamle Tawiah who was arraigned before the Odumase-Krobo circuit court yesterday, April 21, 2026.
She pleaded not guilty and has been remanded into police custody to reappear on May 5, 2026 for case management conference.
The Eastern Regional Police Command has entreated the general public to remain vigilant at all times and promptly report any suspicious persons or behaviour to the police.
