Accra — Inaya Ayew, the elder daughter of former Ghana captain André “Dede” Ayew, has taken a significant step in her budding football career after enrolling at the Borussia Dortmund Academy in Ghana, the first of its kind established by the German Bundesliga giants in the country.
The development marks a proud milestone for the Ayew family, renowned for its deep-rooted contribution to Ghanaian and international football. Inaya’s entry into the Dortmund Academy also represents a notable moment for the growth of women’s football in Ghana, as she becomes the first female member of the Ayew family to actively pursue the game as a player.
Her journey has been years in the making. Football enthusiasts will recall her appearance as a player mascot at the London Stadium during her father’s spell with West Ham United in the English Premier League — a symbolic moment that hinted at her early passion for the sport.
The Borussia Dortmund Academy Ghana, launched to identify and nurture young talent while instilling elite European football values, provides Inaya with access to structured training, modern facilities and professional coaching aligned with Dortmund’s renowned youth development philosophy.
André Ayew, a former Olympique Marseille and Swansea City star, is the son of African football legend Abedi Pelé, making the Ayews one of the most celebrated football families on the continent. Inaya’s progression into organised football adds a new and inspiring chapter to that legacy.
Her inclusion in the academy is expected to encourage more young girls to take up the sport, reinforcing the growing emphasis on gender inclusion and youth development within Ghana’s football ecosystem.
As the Ayew dynasty continues to evolve, Inaya Ayew’s next steps will be closely followed, with many hopeful that her journey will further underline the enduring influence of football within one of Africa’s most iconic sporting families.