Ghana urged to adopt the Right to Dream sports-education model at 25th anniversary celebration

Ghana should embrace the Right to Dream Academy’s unique model of combining sports and education to harness the nation’s abundant youth talent, Dr. Austin Luguterah, Director of the Sports and Wellness Directorate at the University of Ghana, has said. 

Speaking at the academy's 25th-anniversary celebration in Old Akrade on Monday, Dr. Luguterah called for a national strategy to integrate sports into education to develop well-rounded individuals who excel both on and off the field.  

Legacy of transformation  

Dr. Luguterah praised Right to Dream for its transformative approach over the past 25 years, describing it as a model worth replicating across Ghana.

“Education must instil values and creativity, fostering the resilience and integrity needed to build the leaders of tomorrow,” he said. Highlighting the power of sports to unite communities and break barriers, he emphasised the need for inclusivity, particularly for women and marginalised groups, in sports development.  

The Right to Dream Academy, established in 1999, combines football training with rigorous academic curricula to create opportunities for underprivileged youth. The academy has gained international acclaim for producing leaders in sports and other fields including national football stars such as Kudus Mohammed, Abdul Majeed Waris, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Osman Ibrahim and Ernest Nuamah.
  
CEO’s reflections  

The Managing Director of Right to Dream Ghana, Alex Asiedu, reflected on the academy’s achievements, noting that it has nurtured talents who have made significant strides globally. 

He highlighted its dual focus on sports and education, emphasising a “No Child Left Behind” policy that ensures 99 percent of students achieve excellence on the field or in their academic pursuits.  

“This academy has proven that young people in Ghana and across West Africa have bright futures when given the right environment to thrive,” Asiedu said. 

Addressing concerns about Right to Dream’s focus shifting due to its expansion to other countries, he reassured stakeholders that Ghana remains a “centre of excellence” in the academy’s global operations.  

The occasion was also used also used to outdoor a new Right to Dream School Magazine and unveil a 25th anniversary monument.

Alumni success  

Ousseni Bouda, an alumnus of the academy and current player for San Jose Earthquakes in Major League Soccer, attributed his success to Right to Dream. “This is where everything started for me,” Bouda said. 

After joining the academy in 2012, he graduated and pursued higher education at Stanford University before launching his professional football career.  

He encouraged current students to seize the opportunities provided by the academy, saying, “There are immense opportunities here. Work hard, stay grateful, and think beyond football—as future leaders of Ghana and Africa.”  

Looking ahead  

Right to Dream plans to expand its facilities and increase its current 95-student capacity by at least 50 percent over the next 24 months, solidifying its status as a hub for nurturing talent and excellence in Africa.