The Ghana Optometric Association (GOA) has honoured six outstanding individuals at its 2026 Awards Night, held as part of the Association’s 14th Annual General Meeting, Dinner and Awards Night in Cape Coast.
The awards celebrated excellence in clinical practice, entrepreneurship, community eye care, professional development and academic achievement, recognising individuals whose contributions continue to advance optometry and eye health in Ghana.
Leading the list of award recipients was Dr. Abraham Gaitu, who received the prestigious Optometrist of the Year Award, sponsored by St. Thomas Eye Hospital. Dr. Gaitu is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Salaria Eyemed and Optical Suppliers, an eye care enterprise operating four branches across Ho, Accra, Denu and Atimpoku. Beyond his entrepreneurial achievements, he contributes to optometric education through student mentorship, clinical training, support for university programmes and community outreach initiatives.
Dr. Zakarea Al-Hasan Balure received the Deprived Area Champion Award, sponsored by LensZone, in recognition of his commitment to improving access to eye care in underserved communities. His work demonstrates the importance of extending essential eye care services to populations with limited access.
The Optometric Entrepreneur of the Year Award, sponsored by Eyekon, went to Dr. Carl Halladay Abraham, founder of Caraham Ophthalmics. Through this initiative, he seeks to equip optometrists with low vision equipment and improve access to low vision services, contributing to the development of low vision care in Ghana.
In the early-career category, Dr. Godsway Commanda Osei received the Optical Foundation Early Career Award, sponsored by the Optical Foundation, recognising his contributions and potential as an emerging professional in the optical and eye care sector.
The Association also celebrated academic excellence among newly qualified optometrists. Dr. Emmanuel Adator was named Best Graduating Doctor of Optometry from the University of Cape Coast (UCC), while Dr. Ruby Etonam Adikah received the corresponding award for Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). Both awards were sponsored by Canada Optical.
The six award recipients represent different but complementary areas of contribution to the optometry profession, from clinical service delivery and entrepreneurship to community engagement, education and academic excellence.
The Ghana Optometric Association also acknowledges and appreciates its corporate sponsors – St. Thomas Eye Hospital, LensZone, Eyekon, Optical Foundation and Canada Optical – for supporting the awards and investing in the recognition and development of optometry professionals in Ghana.
Through its annual awards, the Association continues to celebrate professional achievement, inspire excellence and encourage innovation among members while recognising the important role of industry partners in advancing eye care.
The GOA congratulates all six award winners and extends its appreciation to the sponsors and partners who made the 2026 Awards possible.
