Doctor | Intern Optometrist | Founder - See Right Project | Philanthropist
My name is Dr. Nana Nhyira Boahene, and I am currently serving as an intern optometrist at the Korle Bu teaching hospital in Ghana. My passion lies in providing free and comprehensive eye care services while creating awareness about preventable blindness and blinding conditions. I completed my secondary education at ABURI Girls Senior High school, and I hail from Akyem Abekoase in the eastern region of Ghana. At 24 years old, I studied Doctor of Optometry at KNUST, where I became the first female chief of staff of the KNUST SRC.
In addition, I am the founder and president of the See Right Project, a non-governmental organization (NGO) that aims to educate individuals on how to avoid blindness. Through my works, I have had the privilege of featuring on various media platforms such as UTV Adkye Nsroma on World Sight Day, OKAY 101.7 fm to talk about retinoblastoma, TV3, Mx24, and GHone for World Glaucoma Week, as well as yen.com for International Women’s Day. I was also featured on the Independence Ghana documentary about a young lady’s blinding condition, TV3 for retinal detachment, and UTV for 17 years of eclipse of the sun and the myth surrounding its effect on the eye. As a member of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), the World Council of Optometry, and a candidate fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO), I strive to keep up-to-date with the latest developments in the field of optometry. Additionally, I am a member of Black Sisters in Stem, which is dedicated to promoting technology among black communities. I am also the first Ghanaian optometrist to feature on eyeknoworg_, an organization in the United States aimed at emphasizing the importance of vision care through conversations with optometrists from around the world. Throughout my career, I have contributed to several free eye screenings in communities, churches, and hospitals, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of eye care. As a young doctor, I am dedicated to promoting eye health, preventing preventable blinding conditions and blindness, and restoring hope and faith to the society that made me. I encourage everyone to stay focused and determined to achieve their dreams and aspirations.
What were the biggest initial hurdles you faced and how did you overcome them?
As an intern optometrist and founder of an NGO, one of the biggest initial hurdles I faced was limited funding and resources to carry out my work. This made it difficult to organize eye screenings and awareness campaigns in various communities.
To overcome this challenge, I had to seek out partnerships and collaborations with other organizations and individuals who shared similar goals and values. By working together, we were able to pool our resources and create a more significant impact in the communities we served. Additionally, I also had to learn how to effectively communicate and advocate for the importance of eye health, especially in underserved communities where many people lacked access to basic eye care. I had to be creative and find ways to reach out to people, such as using social media platforms and partnering with local radio and TV stations.
Overall, perseverance, determination, and networking were key factors that helped me overcome the initial hurdles I faced as an intern optometrist and founder of an NGO.
What advice do you have for young people locally and internationally who are just starting out in their careers or pursuing their passions?
My advice for young people locally and internationally who are just starting out in their careers or pursuing their passions is to stay focused, work hard, and never give up.
Identify your passions and pursue them relentlessly, and don't be afraid to take risks and try new things.
Surround yourself with positive and supportive people, and seek mentorship and guidance from those who have gone before you.
Remember that success is not achieved overnight, and setbacks and failures are inevitable, but they are also opportunities to learn and grow. Keep pushing forward, stay resilient, and believe in yourself and your abilities.
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