By Amos Azure, Oncology Nurse Specialist, Tamale Teaching Hospital, Ghana | Overall Best Graduating Participant, ONLEP Cohort II
Joining the Oncology Nursing Leadership Programme (ONLEP) in Africa has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my nursing career. As an Oncology Nurse Specialist at Tamale Teaching Hospital in northern Ghana, I have always been passionate about improving cancer care. However, ONLEP challenged me to look beyond my daily clinical responsibilities and recognise my potential to influence change within the wider healthcare system. Through lessons in leadership, networking and collaboration, psycho-oncology, health systems administration, research and evidence-based practice, and policy and advocacy, I gained valuable knowledge and skills and, more importantly, the confidence to apply them. Serving as Course Representative for 60 oncology nurses from 17 African countries was another rewarding part of my journey. It gave me the opportunity to learn from colleagues with diverse experiences, build lasting friendships, and appreciate the value of professional relationships across borders. Above all, I learned that leadership is not about standing above others, but about lifting others, recognising needs, and having the courage to take actionable steps to make a meaningful difference.
One of the most fulfilling aspects of ONLEP was the opportunity to turn learning into action. At Tamale Teaching Hospital, I identified a gap in the early recognition of chemotherapy-induced toxicities, particularly among nurses working outside specialist oncology units. Through my quality improvement project, 45 frontline nurses across six clinical units received training in recognising and escalating these toxicities. Their average knowledge scores improved significantly from 4.64 to 8.20 out of 10. A practical decision-support algorithm was also introduced to guide early recognition and timely escalation. For me, this demonstrated the real value of ONLEP: moving beyond acquiring knowledge and certificates to address real challenges in patient care.
On 30 October 2026, I was deeply humbled and honoured to receive the Overall Best Graduating Participant Award for ONLEP Cohort II. While this recognition means a great deal to me, I see it not as a destination, but as a renewed responsibility to serve, inspire others, and contribute to better cancer care. My heartfelt gratitude goes to Professor Lydia Aziato, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) and ONLEP Programme Lead, UHAS, the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care (ISNCC), City Cancer Challenge (C/Can), Amgen (the funder), our dedicated facilitators and ONLEP administrative team, my wonderful fellow participants, and the Management of Tamale Teaching Hospital for their invaluable support throughout this journey. Through the ONLEP Community of Practice, I look forward to developing new initiatives and collaborating with colleagues across Africa to strengthen oncology nursing practice, education and research. At Tamale Teaching Hospital, I hope to work with the hospital leadership and ONLEP Alumni and future participants to sustain the progress made and further strengthen chemotherapy safety across the cancer care continuum, from safe handling and preparation to administration, early recognition of toxicities, and appropriate and timely management.
ONLEP has taught me that leadership does not end with graduation. Rather, that is where the real work begins.
