Ghanaian healthcare professional Osei Boateng, currently pursuing his Master’s in Business Creation at the University of Utah in the United States, has been selected as one of ten finalists for this year’s CNN’s Hero of the Year award.
Mr Boateng stands as the sole African among the finalists.
As the CEO of the non-profit organization OKB Hope Foundation based in Ghana, he utilizes a mobile van to deliver primary and preventative healthcare services to rural communities with limited access to health facilities and financial constraints.His innovative approach involves converting a van into a mobile healthcare clinic, resembling a doctor’s office.
Equipped with solar panels, the van ensures operation in areas without electricity. While primarily serving the Ashanti Region, it extends its free services to parts of the Greater Accra, Eastern, and Central Regions as well.
“We go to rural and underserved communities to provide them with primary and preventative healthcare. They get to see a doctor, they get their labs done, they get medications, and they’re out of there,” Osei told US-based KSL TV.
Boateng shared that his inspiration for the initiative stemmed from observing the challenges faced by people in his hometown of Bomfa-Achiase in the Ashanti Region, including his grandmother and aunt, who had to travel long distances for medical care.
He said, on average, people walk 17-24 kilometres to visit a clinic.
“Even if they got there, there’s no guarantee that they will see a doctor,” an experience that took the lives of some of his family members.
“If we could have gotten the care at an earlier time, or even seen the healthcare provider, they could’ve prevented that,” he said.
“It wasn’t a disease they should have died of, so that’s why I’m trying to get the van to these communities.”
In an interview with MyJoyOnline, Mr Osei Boateng expressed that every vote in his favor for the ultimate prize would significantly impact healthcare for numerous rural communities in Ghana. His aspiration is to secure both funding and a platform for his initiative by winning the CNN Hero of the Year award.
“Supporting us in winning this award is not just a vote; it’s a vital contribution to the urgent cause of delivering timely healthcare to rural and underserved communities. Your involvement is instrumental, as every delay in reaching these individuals with healthcare could mean someone paying with their life. Your support can make a profound difference in ensuring swift and life-saving interventions for those who need it the most.”
“It’s really important for me to get this particular support to expand the work I’m doing because right now we don’t have any significant support,” he said.
“Securing this award will be a catalyst for obtaining the necessary resources to broaden our efforts. Our aim is to bring timely healthcare not just to my community, but also to the doorsteps of additional rural and underserved communities, fostering a more widespread impact” Osei Boateng said.
“All of the professors, my preceptors, colleagues, they are all supportive of the work I’m doing,” Mr Boateng added.
If Mr Boateng wins, he earns $100,000. You can vote for Boateng by clicking here every day until December 5, 2023. The winner will be announced on December 10.
About Osei Boateng
With over five years of experience in hospital administration and operations, gained from roles at the New York Presbyterian Hospital and Henry Ford Health System, Osei Boateng brings a wealth of professional expertise.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Osei is the founder of the OKB Hope Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to delivering healthcare services to marginalized and remote communities in Ghana.
Osei is an alumnus of Kumasi Anglican Senior High School, holding a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology and Society with minors in business and gerontology. He further pursued and earned a Master’s in Healthcare Administration from Cornell University.
About the award
The CNN Hero of the Year award recognizes exceptional individuals making significant humanitarian contributions within their communities. Established in 2007, the program has been hosted by Anderson Cooper and Kelly Ripa since 2016.
Each fall, the honorees are introduced, and the audience is invited to vote online for the CNN Hero of the Year. Ten recipients are acknowledged, each receiving a $10,000 grant. The ultimate recipient, named the CNN Hero of the Year, is granted an additional $100,000 to further their impactful work.
During the celebratory broadcast highlighting their achievements, these honorees are introduced by supportive celebrities who actively champion their charitable endeavors.
In a special nod to the 10th anniversary, the 2016 edition included an extra segment where five previous Hero of the Year winners were nominated for the Superhero of the Year award, determined through an online poll.