Dortmund plant roots in Africa with the launch of BVB International Academy Ghana

By Mishael Emmanuel with additional agency report 

 

Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund have taken a major step in expanding their global football footprint with the launch of the BVB International Academy Ghana, the club’s first academy on the African continent.

The academy was officially unveiled at a colourful ceremony held at the Kwae Terrace in Accra, drawing football fans, media personalities, former Ghana internationals and representatives of the German club.

Set up in partnership with Accra Shooting Stars FC, the academy will cater for boys and girls aged 6 to 18 and will operate on a pay-to-play basis, while also offering scholarships to talented players from underprivileged backgrounds. Organisers say the model is designed to balance sustainability with inclusivity.

In a statement, the BVB International Academy Ghana explained that players will be trained under Dortmund’s globally recognised methodology, with a holistic focus that goes beyond football.

“Players follow the internationally recognized BVB training methodology, with a strong emphasis on discipline, leadership, education, nutrition, and personal development, while remaining deeply connected to Ghana’s football culture,” the statement read.

Benedikt Scholz, Director of Internationalization and Commercial Partnerships and Managing Director of BVB Football Academy, described the launch as a meaningful return to familiar territory for the club. 

“This opening is a strong statement in a market with which BVB has been connected for many years through players such as Otto Addo and Ibrahim Tanko,” he said. 

“Together with our partners on the ground, we look forward to building sustainable structures step by step for the development of young footballers.”

Academy Director Teddy Hiadzi stressed that the project is designed to accommodate different football journeys.

“Every child’s football journey is different. Whether recreational or elite, our goal is to provide quality coaching, structure, and a safe environment where players can grow both on and off the pitch,” he noted.

Former Borussia Dortmund and Black Stars star Ibrahim Tanko, who serves as Ambassador of the BVB International Academy Ghana, also underlined the significance of the initiative.

“Bringing the BVB philosophy to Ghana is something very special. This country has incredible talent and passion, and this academy will help young players develop the mindset and discipline needed to succeed,” he said.

The launch also received strong diplomatic backing, with German Ambassador to Ghana, Frederik Landshöft, highlighting the wider impact of the academy. 

“This academy is not only about football. It is about people, about dreams, and about connection,” he said, describing the project as a powerful form of cultural diplomacy that goes far beyond the pitch.

Soon after the ceremony, Dortmund officials Florian Ingwersen, Head of Football Academy, and Michael Rütten, Academy Head of Coaching, led a coaching clinic for about 40 children at Achimota School, which will serve as the academy’s base. 

The day’s activities concluded with a viewing party at Pitstop in Labone, where fans watched Dortmund secure a 2–1 Bundesliga victory over Wolfsburg.

Enrolment for the academy’s maiden intake is currently ongoing, with information sessions and football camps planned in collaboration with local schools, as Borussia Dortmund begin a new chapter aimed at nurturing Ghana’s next generation of football talent.