Borussia Dortmund has announced the official launch of the BVB International Academy Ghana, the club’s first-ever International Academy on the African continent.
This major step forward in Borussia Dortmund’s global strategy was formally unveiled during a special ceremony held on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Kwae Terrace in Accra, followed by an on-field demonstration at Achimota School.
The academy has been established through a strategic partnership with Accra Shooting Stars FC, one of Ghana’s historic and well-regarded football institutions. It is housed at the renowned Achimota School in Accra and functions as a non-residential program, allowing young players from across the city and surrounding areas to participate without the need to relocate.
The program is open to both boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 18, reflecting Borussia Dortmund’s strong belief in equal opportunities and the development of female football talent alongside the men’s game.
Participants receive training fully aligned with Borussia Dortmund’s official youth development philosophy. This includes the same technical, tactical, and positional principles used at the club’s youth academy in Germany, combined with an emphasis on character building, leadership, education, healthy nutrition, mental resilience, and respect for teammates and opponents.
Local coaching staff and technical personnel are directly supported and trained by Borussia Dortmund experts to ensure the highest standards of delivery and long-term sustainability.
The academy forms an official part of the club’s worldwide International Academy network, joining existing locations in Europe, Asia, the Americas, and the Middle East, while bringing BVB’s distinctive approach to a new and passionate football market.
The launch event brought together representatives from Borussia Dortmund’s academy and internationalization departments, senior figures from Accra Shooting Stars FC, officials from Achimota School, the German Ambassador to Ghana, respected Ghanaian football personalities, and dozens of enthusiastic young players and their families. Training sessions during the day gave attendees a first-hand look at how the BVB methodology is being adapted and implemented in the Ghanaian context.
Benedikt Scholz, who serves as Director of Internationalization and Commercial Partnerships as well as Managing Director of BVB Football Academy, spoke about the deep historical connection between Borussia Dortmund and Ghanaian football.
He noted the club’s longstanding links through players such as Otto Addo and Ibrahim Tanko, and described the academy as a natural evolution of that relationship, aimed at identifying and developing the next generation of talent who may one day wear the famous black and yellow jersey or represent Ghana on the international stage.
With this new academy, Borussia Dortmund continues to expand its footprint in grassroots football, creating structured, high-quality pathways for young athletes in Africa.
The initiative strengthens community ties, promotes the growth of the sport across the continent, and carries forward the club’s tradition of investing in talent from diverse backgrounds.
Young players in Ghana now have the chance to train under the same principles that have produced some of Europe’s finest talents, all while staying connected to their home environment and culture.
Borussia Dortmund looks forward to seeing the first talents emerge from the BVB International Academy Ghana and to building an even stronger bridge between Dortmund and the vibrant football community in Ghana for many years to come.