The Oncology Nurse Leadership Programme (ONLEP) was officially launched at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) on Monday, July 7, 2025.
The programme, the first of its kind in Africa, is set to revolutionise cancer care across the continent by equipping nurses with leadership, clinical, and advocacy skills.
Addressing the launch, the Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, underscored the growing urgency of cancer care in Ghana, citing that over 27,000 new cases were recorded in 2022, resulting in nearly 18,000 deaths.
“Prostate cancer alone accounts for 16.9% of cancer cases in the Volta Region,” he said, adding that the health system is also burdened by emotional trauma in patients, with depression and anxiety being common but often unsupported.
The Oncology Nurse Leadership Programme is a five-year initiative co-developed by UHAS, the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care (ISNCC), City Cancer Challenge Foundation (C/Can), and Amgen.
The first cohort of 30 students drawn from seven African countries—Ghana, Nigeria, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa, Kenya, and Gambia has commenced a two-week in-person training at UHAS, after which they will continue with online sessions for six months.
Mr Gunu praised the programme for aligning with Ghana’s 2025 budget priorities, which include expanding access to cancer treatment, building human capital, and strengthening health systems.
“This programme is emerging at a critical moment when Ghana is demonstrating a clear commitment to non-communicable disease care through the Medical Care Trust Fund and expansion of free primary healthcare,” he noted.
The ONLEP is designed to empower oncology nurses with leadership development skills, promote clinical excellence, support research, and integrate psychosocial care into treatment frameworks. It includes modules such as psycho-oncology, financial management, quality assurance, and advocacy. Participants will graduate with a postgraduate certificate recognised across Africa and globally.
The Vice-Chancellor of UHAS and Project Lead, Professor Lydia Aziato, stated that UHAS was proud to host the inaugural programme and envisions becoming a hub for nurse leadership training on the continent.
“The ONLEP is a catalyst for releasing this dream,” she stated.
Her sentiments were echoed by the President of ISNCC, Prof. Winnie So, who emphasised the programme’s importance in strengthening nurses’ roles in prevention, treatment, and palliative care.
According to the Global Programme Manager at C/Can, Martha L. Ordóñez, investing in nurses is central to sustainable change.
“By empowering oncology nurses with tools to lead, advocate and innovate, we strengthen cancer care across the African continent,” she said.
Participants in the first cohort expressed excitement over the programme’s potential to create connections and drive change in their countries.
“This programme is more than just a learning experience; it’s a bridge connecting nurses from diverse backgrounds, empowering us to share our stories and learn from each other,” said Ejiaku Tochukwu Chiamaka, Cohort 1 Lead from Abuja, Nigeria.
The Executive Director for Access to Healthcare at Amgen, Sean Lybrand, said supporting the ONLEP fits into the company’s global commitment to quality healthcare learning.
“Improving oncology nurse training in low-resource settings will lead to better health outcomes,” he noted.
As the first cohort goes through a packed schedule of lectures, presentations, and role-plays at UHAS, expectations are high that the training will create a new generation of nurse-leaders capable of confronting Africa’s cancer burden with innovation and compassion.
The ONLEP also seeks to fill a critical gap in mental health support for cancer patients, which is often overlooked in resource-constrained settings. Ho Teaching Hospital, the region’s main referral centre, still depends largely on relatives and spiritual guides for emotional care, as mental health professionals remain scarce.
He further pledged support for the programme through regional coordination, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy for sustainable resourcing of oncology nursing.
“To the nurse-leaders starting ONLEP today: lead with clinical excellence, compassion, resilience, and courage. You are at the forefront of transformative change,” he added.
The programme is structured to train 240 nurses over five years: 30 in the first year, followed by 60 each in the second, third, and fourth years, and another 30 in the fifth year. Each phase includes monitoring, evaluation, research, and stakeholder meetings. Successful participants are expected to complete a leadership project and receive a postgraduate certificate from UHAS.
The broader goal, according to organisers, is to foster a community of oncology nurse-leaders who will be champions of cancer care improvement in their home countries and beyond. It is a timely intervention, especially in the Volta Region, which, despite advancements in e-health and real-time biosurveillance, still lacks sufficient trained oncology nurses.
As the event concluded with tributes to all partners, including ISNCC, C/Can, UHAS and Amgen, stakeholders reiterated their shared vision: building a resilient healthcare workforce led by nurses who do not just treat, but lead and advocate for holistic cancer care.
“With your leadership, strong partnerships and commitment,” Hon. Gunu said, “we can shift the cancer care trajectory not just for Volta, but for Ghana and all of Africa.”
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