A Right To Dream: From Ghana to Denmark

Clinton Antwi, Denmark

Clinton Antwi is a Ghanaian footballer who plays for Danish Superliga club FC Nordsjælland (FNC). He is currently on loan at Esbjerg fB. Based in the Danish town of Farum, the club is part of the global Right To Dream Group - with academies in Ghana, Denmark, and Egypt focused on ensuring social and personal development of its academy players. FCN was the first club in the world to sign with Common Goal. Clinton is a graduate of the Right To Dream Academy in Ghana, and joined FCN in January 2018.

What has been your football journey?

My name is Clinton Antwi, I come from a town in Ghana called Suame. Growing up in Suame was exciting, I was with my Mom and my younger brother living in our family house - so I had my aunties, uncles, cousins, niece, nephews and grannies around me. It was a huge family house. I got the opportunity to go to school, learn, and play football. Those were the things that I always looked forward to each day. Suame is a small and a peaceful town which always has a place in my heart.

I started playing football at a very young age. I’ve always loved the game and I still do love it! It always gives me the chance to play with friends and family members, the chance to go out and explore the excitement of the game. I played for my school team a lot and got the opportunity to represent my district and my region in tournaments. I played a lot with my niece, nephews, and younger brother. I also remember playing for my local team in our local tournaments in Suame, it was lots of fun.

At age 11 I started my journey and was scouted by Right To Dream Academy. I was given a scholarship to be in the Academy. I moved to Denmark when I turned 18. My family is still in Ghana. It was definitely a dream come true for me to be in an Academy. I’ve always wanted, worked, and prayed for the opportunity. It came with a lot of sacrifices - one of the main sacrifices was moving away from home at young age. This sacrifice particularly shaped me. I learnt how to adapt in new environments, and it gave me the ability to make new friends and family. My worst time at the Academy was when I was injured, but it has helped me to be patient and continue to do the right things to get back stronger than ever. I think being patient is a very good skill to have. 

What did you try to show with the photos? Was there any wider meaning with the photos?

The photos show our daily routine and my teammates during our preseason training camp in Spain. I was on my way back from an injury and they remind me how important it is to appreciate each day and get the most out of it, regardless of what you’re going through.

I wanted to show the pitch, how beautiful it was and the opportunity it gives everyone to showcase his or her talents or skills. Our physio Joakim Dilling is not just a physio, he is a great person who is ready to listen to you and share ideas. I call him Jokey!

What are the opportunities for footballers in Ghana?

Every kid in Ghana loves football and wants to be a part of the game. There are countless football teams in Ghana and there are opportunities to play football all day, but there are not enough facilities in the country for footballers to use. For the little facilities we have, Ghana is doing great in producing great footballers and Right To Dream Academy is playing a big role in that regard. 

Football is a big part of the culture in Suame, just like any other community in Ghana. There are a lot of local teams to join and dirt pitches to express yourself and have fun playing football with friends.

How did you get scouted by Right To Dream?

My local team participated in a tournament which was organized by Right To Dream, in a town close to Suame. I got scouted during that tournament by the recruitment department of the academy. The excitement afterwards was just indescribable. Later I joined the regional trial camp, which was organized by the academy. We were at the camp for four days, training, schooling, being fed and accommodated by the academy, basically Right To Dream took care of everything. I got selected at the end of the trials and was invited to the academy for a final trial. 

What role does football play in Danish and Ghanaian society?

Football brings excitement to both the Ghanaian and a Danish society. People in both societies want to be great footballers to make their family and friends proud of them. In most cases football gives these two societies an opportunity to make a living and take care of their family and friends. 

What has been your experience of moving to Denmark? Are you still connected to Ghana?

It felt great to move from Ghana to Denmark. I was pretty much used to European culture due to the exposure that I had during my time at the Right To Dream Academy. I have got used to the weather and food but not the Danish language! 

I really like the infrastructure and the waste management systems in Denmark. I’m actually into plastic recycling and I have a foundation called Suame GH. We basically visit schools in my community in Ghana (Suame) to educate them about waste management and plastic recycling. We have now set up plastic waste management programs in the schools. 

I go back to Ghana twice a year, at summer break and Christmas break. I miss the atmosphere of Ghana. It’s a feeling I can’t really describe, you just have to be there to experience it yourself. I miss the weather, the food and most importantly my family and friends. 

Are you proud to have been part of the Right to Dream Academy and FC Nordsjælland?

I’m humbled, grateful and proud to be a part of the Right To Dream Academy. Every kid in Africa is yearning to be in the Right To Dream Academy. I mean, you just name the opportunities the Academy offers its students, it is countless. The unique thing about FC Nordsjælland is that it is promoting young footballers and preaching to the bigger clubs that Everyone Has The Right To Dream. 

My first two seasons with FC Nordsjælland were pretty good. My first season was a transition phase, it was a process to adapt to the style of play and learn from the older players. The next phase was for me to implement what I learnt during my fist season. I got a lot of playing time during my second season and I enjoyed it. It has been great for me to play for FC Nordsjælland, I like the style of play and it suits me.

What does football mean to you? 

When I started playing football at a very young age, football meant excitement, joy, fun, happiness, smiles, laughter, love and always dreaming to support my family financially by playing football professionally. All of these things are manifesting at the moment, so for me football means making your dreams a reality. 

What are your ambitions for the future?

I’m looking forward to winning a league title one day. I can’t wait to represent Ghana and play for the Black Stars. I will use the opportunities and the platforms that football has given me, to make a social and economic impact in communities in Ghana. I will do this through plastic waste management – our initiative is already functioning. 

What does your family think of your job as a professional soccer player?

My family is super excited about me playing as a professional football. Mainly my Mom, who has been my number one fan since day one.