The Right to Dream Academy, Ghana, is the birthplace of the Right to Dream community. It’s where the dream started by founder Tom Vernon, an ex-Manchester United scout in Africa, on a small scale in Accra in 1999.
RTD ACADEMY
GHANA
Fast forward to 2010, the Ghana Academy moved to a new home in Old Akrade, a village on the banks of the Volta River in Ghana's Eastern region. With this move, the academy increased its capacity from 40 to just over 100 students, giving more young talents aged between 11 and 18 the chance to receive elite-level football training, world-class education, and character development program that prepares them for to achieve their potential on and off the field.
For over 20 years, the Ghana Academy has been nurturing young football talents in West Africa and has built a rich history of producing some of the most talented young footballers in Africa, including Ajax midfielder Mohammed Kudus and Southampton winger Kamaldeen Sulemana. The academy has also helped academically excellent student-athletes reach their full potential, such as Ousseni Bouda, a Stanford senior, and Shakur Mohammed, who graduated from Duke University and currently plays for MLS side Orlando City.
"All excellence deserves a chance to thrive. It is an honour to work at Right to Dream, working to give that chance to some of the most talented student-athletes I have ever come across"
Eddie Mensah,
CEO, RTD Academy, Ghana
GIRLS ACADEMY
As we believe that all talent deserves a fair opportunity to pursue their dreams, we launched the girls’ residential academy in Ghana in May 2013 - the first of its kind in Africa. It has since been creating opportunities for talented young girls in the region to develop their skills and reach their potential on and off the pitch.
The academy has already produced remarkable graduates such as Princess Marfo.
Princess became the first Right to Dream graduate to join the senior women's team at FC Nordsjaelland. Also, Joy Okonye has committed to playing Division I soccer at Brown University - Class of 2027. Princess’ and Joy’s journeys will open the door to more opportunities for talented young women at Right to Dream to follow in their footsteps and explore potential futures in professional football and beyond.
