The Cancer Care Advocacy Foundation (CanCAF) has launched a global leadership development initiative aimed at empowering nurses and midwives to take up leadership roles, influence healthcare policies and drive improvements in patient care and health systems.
Dubbed the Leadership Development Series for Nurses and Midwives (LIT), the initiative seeks to equip healthcare professionals with the leadership skills, knowledge and confidence required to champion innovation, strengthen healthcare delivery and contribute to sustainable health system transformation.
The programme, held under the theme “Lead. Influence. Transform,” brought together nurses, midwives, healthcare leaders, educators, policymakers and other stakeholders from Ghana and across the world for three days of leadership development and professional engagement.
The initiative was inspired by the leadership achievements and vision of Mrs Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti, winner of the 2025 Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award, whose contributions to nursing have highlighted the importance of professional leadership in improving healthcare outcomes.
The programme was officially launched by Professor James Avoka Asamani, Health Workforce Lead for the World Health Organisation (WHO) African Region, who also delivered the keynote address.
His presentation highlighted the importance of sustained investment in nursing and midwifery leadership to strengthen healthcare systems, improve service delivery and enhance patient outcomes across Africa and beyond.
The three-day programme focused on leadership, influence and innovation, with participants encouraged to translate professional knowledge and experience into practical solutions to challenges confronting healthcare delivery.
Opening the series with a session titled “Lead from Where You Stand,” the Director of Nursing and Midwifery Services at the Ministry of Health, Dr Barnabas Yeboah, encouraged nurses and midwives to demonstrate leadership regardless of their positions within the healthcare system.
He emphasised that effective leadership was not limited to formal appointments but required initiative, commitment and the ability to make meaningful contributions to patient care and institutional development.
The second session, facilitated by the Founder of Bridge and Beyond Advisory LLC, Dr Jose Arnold Tariga, focused on the role of influence in improving healthcare outcomes.
Under the topic “Move People, Move Care,” participants explored strategies for influencing colleagues, strengthening teamwork and promoting positive changes in healthcare delivery.
The session challenged participants to identify individuals, institutions and systems they could intentionally influence to achieve meaningful improvements in patient care.
The final session, led by the Chief Executive Officer of Bentil Health Consulting, Dr Stacy Bentil, focused on translating leadership principles into practical action.
Titled “Build the Future Ward,” the session examined how innovation, collaboration and strategic leadership could help transform nursing practice, improve healthcare environments and strengthen patient-centred care.
The programme was moderated by Dr Theresa Barnes, with support from nursing and midwifery leaders and representatives of key healthcare institutions.
These included the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, Nursing and Midwifery Council, Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives and Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
Organisers indicated that the LIT initiative would extend beyond the inaugural three-day programme to provide a platform for continuous leadership development, professional collaboration and knowledge sharing among nurses and midwives globally.
The initiative is also expected to encourage greater participation of nursing and midwifery professionals in healthcare decision-making, policy development and institutional leadership.
Through the programme, CanCAF seeks to build a network of healthcare professionals capable of influencing positive change, strengthening health systems and advancing the quality of healthcare delivery.
The launch represents part of broader efforts to position nurses and midwives not only as frontline healthcare providers but also as influential leaders in shaping the future of healthcare.
