The Accra Turf Club has condemned what it describes as a forceful takeover and demolition of its Race Course at Borteyman, Accra.
In a statement, the Club alleged that about 200 armed men, accompanied by police officers, invaded the facility on Saturday, August 22, with nine bulldozers and an excavator and destroyed property worth millions of dollars.
According to the Club, the group was allegedly led by two individuals identified as Clement Dzato and Azuma. It said the destruction included approximately 100 horse stables, racing facilities, buildings, vegetation, utility infrastructure, track railings, roofing sheets and water tank stands.
The Club further alleged that horses were forcibly removed from their stables, jockeys were ejected from their residential quarters, and Club offices and equipment were destroyed. It claimed that some dismantled materials and other valuables were removed from the premises and sold.
The Club said its officials immediately contacted the Lakeside Police Station and other police patrol teams upon receiving reports of the operation.
Officers who arrived at the scene reportedly confronted the alleged leaders of the group and a police officer identified as DSP Malaika, who the Club said was accompanying the group.
According to the Club, Dzato claimed the land had been given to him and his associates and that they had therefore taken possession of it.
It further alleged that DSP Malaika told the responding officers that the group had presented documentation establishing ownership of the land and that the police team was there to provide protection during the takeover.
The Club, however, said no documentation or court order authorising the takeover or demolition was produced at the scene.
Attempts by officers from the Lakeside Police Station and other patrol teams to halt the demolition were unsuccessful, the Club said, after which the officers left while the destruction continued. The Club said further appeals to relevant authorities for intervention did not stop the exercise.
The Accra Turf Club said its occupation of the Borteyman site is rooted in the long history of horse racing in Accra, which dates back to the late 19th century.
The Club said it was formally established in 1923, with horse racing subsequently becoming an important sporting and social activity in Ghana.
It said its current race course at Borteyman was established after its former facility located on land now occupied by major developments including the National Security Secretariat, the Accra International Conference Centre and the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City was taken over for redevelopment by the Government of Ghana.
According to the Club, the relocation was formalised under a Relocation Agreement dated May 24, 2006, between the Club and the Government.
The Club also cited a court order dated March 8, 2005, in Suit No. AE/32/2004 involving the Lands Commission. The Club said the order granted the Lands Commission permission to enter the land and demarcate 46.64 hectares for the Accra Turf Club to facilitate the necessary land documentation and recognised its right to occupy and operate the race course at Borteyman.
The Accra Turf Club has called on the Government, state institutions and other relevant authorities to urgently investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged takeover and demolition.
The Club says the destruction has caused extensive damage to its facilities and threatens the future of horse racing in Ghana.
