In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at transforming cancer care in Africa, the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), in partnership with City Cancer Challenge Foundation (C/Can), the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care (ISNCC), and Amgen, has launched the continent’s first Oncology Nurse Leadership Programme (ONLEP).
The programme was unveiled at the UHAS main campus in Sokode-Lokoe, Ghana, on Monday, July 1, 2025, and is designed to equip oncology nurses across Africa with leadership skills and clinical expertise to improve cancer care delivery on the continent.
Despite nurses playing a pivotal role in healthcare systems globally, investment in oncology nursing has been minimal in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The ONLEP initiative seeks to reverse this trend by offering a postgraduate certificate programme specifically tailored to empower nurses to lead, innovate, and advocate for high-quality cancer treatment in their communities.
“This programme marks a turning point. UHAS is not just launching a course—we are creating a leadership hub for African nurses and midwives in cancer care,” said Professor Lydia Aziato, UHAS Vice-Chancellor and Project Lead.
With a strong emphasis on transformational learning, ONLEP blends theoretical knowledge with practical experience. The five-year programme will deliver six modules covering topics such as health systems organization, psycho-oncology, stress and change management, policy and advocacy, and evidence-based practice.
Each cohort of students will undertake a six-month training, including two weeks of in-person sessions at the start and a final week before graduation. The remainder of the training will be conducted online, allowing for flexible participation from nurses across the continent.
The inaugural cohort comprises 30 oncology nurses from Ghana, Nigeria, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa, Kenya, and Gambia. Their first face-to-face training began on June 29 and runs through July 12, 2025. The sessions include interactive lectures, group work, role-playing, and student-led presentations.
Martha L. Ordóñez, Global Programme Manager of C/Can, emphasized the initiative’s long-term vision:
“This is about investing in people who form the backbone of healthcare systems. ONLEP empowers nurses to lead change—not only in C/Can cities but across Africa.”
Amgen, a leading global biotechnology company, brings financial and strategic backing to the initiative, particularly through its Access to Healthcare programme, which targets underserved areas.
“This is not just training; it’s about reshaping healthcare delivery and improving outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa,” said Sean Lybrand, Amgen’s Executive Director for Access to Healthcare.
ISNCC President, Prof. Winnie So, hailed the programme as a practical embodiment of the society’s mission to reduce the global burden of cancer through empowered nursing leadership:
“ONLEP is a strategic response to cancer’s growing toll on Africa. It builds nurse leaders who will shape policy and drive change in cancer prevention, treatment, and survivorship.”
Beyond clinical skills, ONLEP also encourages cross-border collaboration and the building of professional networks.
“This programme is a bridge—connecting us across cultures and backgrounds to learn, grow, and lead together,” noted Ejiaku Tochukwu Chiamaka, Cohort 1 Lead from Nigeria.
As cancer incidence continues to rise across Africa, the ONLEP initiative is being hailed as a timely and transformative effort to tackle the continent’s cancer care crisis—by empowering those closest to patients: nurses.
