Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund has launched the BVB International Academy Ghana, its first international academy in Africa.

The launch ceremony was held at the Kwae Terrace in Accra on Saturday, February 7, 2026, marking the official start of operations.

The academy is being run in partnership with Accra Shooting Stars FC and operates on a pay-to-play model, with scholarships available for talented but underprivileged players aged 6 to 18.

Parents will pay between €1,500 and €2,500 per season, according to Academy Director Teddy Hiadzi.

In a statement, the academy said players will follow the internationally recognised BVB training methodology, with emphasis on discipline, leadership, education, nutrition and personal development, while remaining connected to Ghana’s football culture.

Benedikt Scholz, Director of Internationalisation and Commercial Partnerships and Managing Director of the BVB Football Academy, described the launch as a key step in a market with longstanding ties to the club through former players such as Otto Addo and Ibrahim Tanko.

He said BVB and its local partners aim to build sustainable structures for the long-term development of young footballers.

Hiadzi highlighted the project’s inclusive approach, stating that every child’s football journey is different, whether recreational or elite, and that the academy’s goal is to provide quality coaching, structure and a safe environment for growth on and off the pitch.

Former Borussia Dortmund and Black Stars player Ibrahim Tanko, now an academy ambassador, called the initiative special, citing Ghana’s talent and passion for football and the need to instil the mindset and discipline required for success.

German Ambassador to Ghana, Frederik Landshöft, said the academy goes beyond football by fostering connection, dreams and cultural exchange.

He described football as a universal language that builds friendships and said initiatives like the academy serve as a tool of cultural diplomacy.

Following the launch, BVB officials held a coaching clinic for children at Achimota School, the academy’s base.