Here is what a parent in Accra needs to know before choosing a football school for their child.
The Elite Scholarship Route: Right to Dream
This is the academy every football parent in Ghana has heard of, and for good reason. Founded in Accra in 1999, Right to Dream is the most decorated youth academy in the country, winning the Best Academy award at the 2025 Globe Soccer Awards . Its model is “books and boots”: full scholarships, formal schooling, and elite coaching under one roof.
The academy is currently operating at a temporary site near Accra while a new multi-million-dollar campus is built, scheduled to open around 2027. For parents, the critical detail is that no fees are published because players are scouted, not enrolled. Nobody buys a place .
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The pathway is proven. Graduates include Mohammed Kudus (now at Tottenham), Kamaldeen Sulemana, and Ernest Nuamah, all of whom passed through the linked FC Nordsjaelland system in Denmark. If your child is exceptionally talented and can pass the scouting process, this is the ceiling.
The New European Arrival: BVB International Academy Ghana
In February 2026, Borussia Dortmund opened its first academy in Africa at Achimota School in Accra, in partnership with Accra Shooting Stars FC . This is a significant development because it brings a European club’s coaching philosophy directly to the city.
The academy takes boys and girls aged 6 to 18, with a dual-pathway model: an elite stream for serious players and a recreational stream for those who just want to enjoy the game . 20% of intake is reserved for scholarships for talented but underprivileged children .
Unlike Right to Dream, BVB does charge fees. Academy Director Teddy Hiadzi confirmed that fees range between the cedi equivalent of €1,500 and €2,500, depending on the age category and programme . For parents who can afford it, this offers structured European-standard coaching without the uncertainty of a pure scouting model.
The Local Option with a Track Record: East Legon Football Academy
For parents in East Legon and the surrounding areas, this academy has built a strong local reputation. It is located on Boundary Road in Adjiringanor and operates Monday to Friday . Reviews from parents are overwhelmingly positive, with comments about dedicated coaches and noticeable improvements in children’s skills and confidence .
The academy has also competed internationally, taking part in the Dana Cup tournament in Denmark—a signal that it offers exposure beyond local matches . Fees are not published, so you would need to contact them directly (the listed number is +233 54 178 7899) to ask about their programmes and costs .
The Grassroots System: GFA Colts Football
It is important to understand that the academies above sit at the top of a much larger pyramid. The GFA runs a Colts league for under-12, under-14, and under-17 teams. In Greater Accra alone, there are 216 Colts clubs as of the 2026/27 season . These are the neighbourhood teams where most young Ghanaians start playing.
The quality varies enormously. Some are well-organised; others are informal setups with volunteer coaches and limited equipment . The GFA has been investing in coaching education—training 600 grassroots coaches through a CAF Licence D programme—but the Colts system remains a mixed bag.
For a parent, a local Colts club can be a low-cost way for a child to play regularly and be seen by scouts. But you should visit the training sessions, meet the coaches, and ask about their safety and child protection practices before committing.
A Note of Caution
The football industry in Ghana has a darker side. Researchers have documented cases of academies exploiting young players and engaging in trafficking in search of profit, as academies increasingly groom players for export to foreign clubs. The GFA has acknowledged that “presently everybody wants to play football by force but all of us cannot be footballers” .
Before enrolling your child, ask the academy directly: Do they have a child protection policy? Are the coaches licensed? Do they guarantee an education alongside football? If the answers are vague, walk away. The best academies—Right to Dream and BVB—are explicit about combining football with schooling. That should be the standard you expect.
Quick Comparison
| Academy | Location | Ages | Model | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right to Dream | Temp. site near Accra (new campus 2027) | 11–18 | Full scholarship, scouting only | None (scholarship) |
| BVB International Academy | Achimota School, Accra | 6–18 (boys & girls) | Elite + recreational | €1,500–€2,500 (cedi equiv.) |
| East Legon Football Academy | Boundary Rd, Adjiringanor | Children | Local academy with international exposure | Contact directly |
| GFA Colts Clubs | Across Greater Accra (216 clubs) | U12, U14, U17 | Grassroots league | Varies (often minimal) |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best football academy in Accra for children?
It depends on your child’s level and your budget. Right to Dream is the most prestigious, but entry is by scouting and scholarship only. BVB International Academy offers structured European coaching for a fee (€1,500–€2,500). East Legon Football Academy has strong local reviews .
2. Does Right to Dream charge fees?
No. Right to Dream operates on a full scholarship model. Players are scouted and placed; nobody buys a place. The academy does not publish fees because there are none for enrolled players .
3. How much does BVB International Academy Ghana cost?
Fees range between the cedi equivalent of €1,500 and €2,500, depending on the age category and programme. 20% of places are reserved as scholarships for underprivileged children .
4. What age can my child start at BVB Academy?
The academy takes boys and girls aged 6 to 18, with both elite and recreational streams .
5. Where is BVB International Academy located?
It operates from branded pitches at Achimota School in Accra .
6. What is Colts football in Ghana?
Colts football is the GFA’s grassroots youth league for under-12, under-14, and under-17 teams. Greater Accra has 216 Colts clubs. It is the entry point for most young players .
7. Are football academies in Ghana safe for children?
Not all of them. Some academies have been accused of exploitation. Parents should ask about child protection policies, coach licensing, and whether the academy combines football with education. The top academies (Right to Dream, BVB) are explicit about education .
8. Can girls join football academies in Accra?
Yes. BVB International Academy explicitly takes boys and girls. Right to Dream has also produced female graduates, including Princess Marfo .
9. Does East Legon Football Academy have an international track record?
Yes. The academy competed in the Dana Cup tournament in Denmark, according to parent reviews .
10. How do I contact East Legon Football Academy?
The listed phone number is +233 54 178 7899. The academy is located at 75 Boundary Rd, Adjiringanor, and operates Monday to Friday
Source: Accra Street Journal
Last Updated on November 3, 2026 by Samuel Kwame Boadu
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Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.
