In a resounding victory for grassroots healthcare innovation in Ghana, Osei Boateng, founder and executive director of the OKB Hope Foundation, has been named one of the three winners of the prestigious 2025 Global Citizen Waislitz Awards, clinching the coveted Grand Prize worth $100,000.
Selected from a pool of global changemakers and shortlisted as one of ten finalists, Boateng emerged top among the three awardees following a public voting process and expert evaluation.
His win is a testament to the far-reaching impact of his foundation’s efforts in bridging Ghana’s healthcare access gap, especially in rural and underserved communities.
Osei Boateng will be joined by the two other winners in New York for their prizes on September 27, 2025.
From Rural Ghana to Global Recognition
Raised in a rural community and deeply affected by the loss of his grandmother and aunt due to poor access to timely healthcare, Boateng turned personal tragedy into national impact. He founded the OKB Hope Foundation to provide primary and preventive care through mobile health vans, delivering free screenings, diagnoses, and treatments across Ghana.
Under his leadership, the foundation has reached over 80 villages and 10 prisons, serving more than 10,000 people with lifesaving care. Beyond physical health, he also launched Wohohiame Wellness, a mental health initiative that includes wellness clubs in schools and an AI-powered counselling assistant known as HeyAkua.
A JoyNews Impact Maker
Boateng’s work had already earned national acclaim earlier this year when he was named one of the 2025 JoyNews Impact Makers, an honour reserved for individuals driving transformative change in Ghana. That recognition, according to Boateng, was “deeply humbling” and served as a catalyst for his Global Citizen nomination.
“Being named one of the 10 Impact Makers in Ghana by JoyNews affirmed that the work we’re doing through OKB Hope Foundation is being felt at home. This latest recognition takes it to another level. It’s not just about me, it’s about the thousands of lives we’ve touched,” he told Myjoyonline in an interview.
Winning for Ghana — and the Underserved
With the $100,000 Grand Prize, Boateng plans to expand the foundation’s mobile fleet, scale mental health outreach in high schools, and deepen healthcare access in remote areas. His vision is clear: to shift Ghana’s healthcare system from a reactive model to a proactive, inclusive, and community-based approach.
“Winning the $100,000 prize is transformational. It allows us to expand our reach and close the healthcare gap, one community at a time,” he said.
“I’m incredibly honoured and overwhelmed with gratitude. Winning the 2025 Global Citizen Waislitz Award is both humbling and affirming. It feels surreal to see the work we’ve been doing at the grassroots level recognized on a global stage. This award gives me hope, it tells me that the world sees and values the lives of people in rural and underserved communities. It’s not just a win for me or the foundation; it’s a win for every person who has gone too long without access to quality healthcare.
“This award is a symbol of possibility. For the OKB Hope Foundation, it means we can reach more communities, serve more families, and scale our impact in a sustainable way. It brings us closer to our vision of making primary and preventive healthcare accessible to all—especially those who’ve historically been left behind. The funding and visibility that come with this recognition will allow us to strengthen our mobile health programs and continue delivering care with dignity and excellence. It’s an opportunity to deepen our commitment and accelerate change.
Meet the Other Winners
Alongside Boateng, Maryanne Gichanga of Kenya and Joshua Ichor of Nigeria were also awarded $100,000 each for their groundbreaking work in agriculture and water solutions, respectively.
Maryanne Gichanga, Co-founder and CEO of AgriTech Analytics, won the Disruptor Award for her AI-powered soil and pest diagnostic tools that have boosted harvests for nearly 10,000 smallholder farmers in Kenya.
Joshua Ichor, CEO of Geotek Water Solutions, claimed the People’s Choice Award for providing clean, solar-powered water systems to over 100,000 people in conflict-affected areas across Nigeria.
About the Global Citizen Waislitz Award
Founded by the Waislitz Foundation in collaboration with Global Citizen, the annual Waislitz Awards celebrate bold social entrepreneurs tackling the root causes of extreme poverty through innovative, scalable, and impactful work.
Alex Waislitz, Chairman and Founder of the Melbourne-based foundation, said: “Ending extreme poverty is not a choice, it’s an obligation. My hope is that this award inspires many more around the world to do what they can to uplift the vulnerable.”
Each year, the foundation awards three $100,000 prizes: the Grand Prize, the Disruptor Award, and the People’s Choice Award. Winners are selected based on their ability to create measurable impact, inspire others, and scale their efforts effectively.
A National Moment of Pride
Osei Boateng’s win is more than a personal achievement, it’s a bold affirmation that Ghanaian innovation, compassion, and resilience are being recognised on the world stage. It also reinforces the critical importance of investing in grassroots healthcare as a pathway to national development.
He thanked the Global Citizen and the Waislitz Foundation and all others who have supported the vision of his foundation including the numerous volunteers of the foundation.
“To Global Citizen and the Waislitz Foundation, thank you for seeing the value in community-based solutions and believing in our mission. Your support has given our work a new platform and renewed strength. You’re not just investing in a project, you’re investing in people, in equity, and in lasting impact.
“To everyone who voted, shared our story, encouraged us, and stood by our side, thank you. Your belief in our vision has carried us to this point. This award is the result of collective effort, love, and unwavering support. I pray you see this win as your own, because it truly is. We’re here today because of your faith in what we’re building together.
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