BVB International Academy Ghana Officially Launches in Accra
Ghana’s youth football landscape is set for a significant transformation with the official launch this weekend of the BVB International Academy Ghana, the first African outpost of Germany’s renowned Borussia Dortmund football club.
The historic launch, scheduled for Saturday, February 7, 2026, has received an endorsement from the Minister of Sports and Recreation, who has praised the academy’s model and linked it to a broader government push for higher standards in sports development.
The launch will be a day-long affair, beginning with an “Official Launch & Breakfast Reception” at Kwae Terrace in Accra at 8:00 AM. This will be followed by a “BVB Experience Camp,” a youth clinic led by Florian Ingwersen, Head of Football Academy, and Michael Rutten, Head of Coaching, at the Achimota Secondary School football field from 10:00 AM. The day will culminate in a public “BVB Watch Party” for the Bundesliga match against Wolfsburg at Pitstop in Labone at 2:30 PM.
The academy’s establishment marks the culmination of years of groundwork. According to its press kit, the origins can be traced back to pre-pandemic conversations between Shooting Stars FC founder Isaac Ansah and Borussia Dortmund representatives, evolving through player training in Germany and the landmark BVB Legends Tour in Ghana in 2022.
Operating from branded pitches at Achimota School, the academy offers a holistic development program for boys and girls aged 6 to 18, with a dual-pathway model catering to both elite and recreational streams. A cornerstone of its philosophy is community access, with 20 percent of intake reserved for scholarships for talented but underprivileged players.
The BVB International Academy Ghana delegation, led by Academy Director Teddy Hiadzi, Sporting Director Marc Schweinshaupt, Public Relations Manager Eli Kondoh, and Academy Administrator Akumaki Ablakwa, met with the Minister for Sports and Recreation, Hon. Kofi Adams, yesterday.
The Minister not only endorsed the project but praised key pillars of the academy’s mission, including CSR-driven scholarships for underserved players, equal access for girls and boys, and early developmental coaching starting at age six.
It was this socially conscious framework that garnered specific praise from the Minister. During the meeting, Adams also announced a wider regulatory push, stating that the National Sports Authority will soon undertake monitoring and enforcement initiatives to ensure that all sports academies adhere to established standards.
He expressed his appreciation for the academy’s initiative and encouraged BVB to consider developing a residential facility to attract talent from across the country.
In a statement, the academy said it was proud to have the Ministry of Sports and Recreation’s support as it works to redefine youth football development in Ghana.
The launch represents a major step in the academy’s mission to blend BVB’s global standards with a strong Ghanaian identity, offering a trusted and structured pathway for the next generation of Ghanaian footballers.