Ghana’s century-old horse-racing tradition is facing an existential threat after the Accra Turf Club alleged that about 200 armed men reportedly stormed its Borteyman Race Course, demolished facilities and seized control of the property in what officials described as a “forceful takeover”.
Officials of the club have appealed directly to President John Dramani Mahama and the country’s security authorities to intervene, warning that the destruction threatens not only a historic sporting institution but livelihoods across an equestrian industry it says supports more than 30,000 people.
In a statement signed by General Secretary of the Accra Turf Club, Sam Newton, it alleged that a group led by Clement Dzato and another man identified as Azuma entered the Race Course last Saturday (August 22), accompanied by police officers, nine bulldozers and an excavator.
It claimed approximately 100 horse stables, racing facilities, buildings and vegetation were destroyed, while horses were removed from their stables and jockeys ejected from residential facilities.
Track railings, roofing sheets, water-tank container stands and other valuables were allegedly removed and sold from the premises.
“Eject the land grabbers and encroachers from the Accra Turf Club’s property,” the club demanded. “Restore the club’s possession and access to our property so that horse racing in Ghana can continue.”
The club said Lakeside Police officers and other patrol teams were called to the scene and confronted Dzato, Azuma and DSP Malaika, who was allegedly commanding police personnel accompanying the group.
According to the statement, Dzato claimed the land had been given to them, while DSP Malaika reportedly said documentation existed establishing ownership. The Accra Turf club insists, however, that no document or court order authorising the takeover or demolition of facilities it values at millions of dollars was produced.
The dispute now places the future of one of Ghana’s oldest organised sports under serious pressure. Horse racing in Accra dates to about 1876, with the Accra Turf Club formally established in 1923.
Heritage
The club said its claim to Borteyman is rooted in more than history. For decades, horseracing was staged at the famous Accra Race Course at Ridge — on land now occupied by the National Security Secretariat, Accra International Conference Centre and Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City — before a government-backed relocation moved the sport to its current home at Borteyman.
It cites a March 8, 2005 High Court order, signed by Justice P. Baffoe Bonnie, now Chief Justice, permitting the Lands Commission to demarcate 46.64 hectares for the Club, followed by a Relocation Agreement with the Government of Ghana on May 24, 2006.
The club urged President Mahama, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak (Interior Minister), Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah (Lands Minister), Dominic Akuritinga Ayine (Attorney-General), Christian Tetteh Yohuno (IGP) and DCOP Abdul-Osman Razak (National Security Coordinator) to investigate the incident, restore access and prosecute anyone found culpable.
Declaring itself the “rightful custodian” of the Race Course, the club vowed to pursue every lawful avenue to protect the property.
Its final question carried a warning far beyond horse racing: “Can we allow this to continue? When did lawlessness get to this stage?”
Historical, legal basis
Horse racing in Accra dates back to the late 19th century, with historical accounts tracing organised horse racing to around 1876.
The Accra Turf Club was formally established in 1923, and horse racing subsequently became an important sporting and social activity in Ghana. The Accra Turf Club’s present
Race Course at Borteyman was established as part of the relocation of its former Race Course, which was situated on land now occupied by the National Security Secretariat, Accra International Conference Centre and Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City.
Following the Government’s decision to redevelop the former Race Course site, the Club entered into a Relocation Agreement dated 24 May, 2006, with the Government of Ghana to facilitate its relocation to Borteyman.
The Borteyman site forms part of land compulsorily acquired by the Government of Ghana under Certificate of Title No. 214/40.
The land was the subject matter of Suit No. AE/32/2004, in which the Lands Commission was the 1st Defendant. By an Order dated 8 March 2005, signed by Justice P. Baffoe Bonnie, Justice of the High Court, now Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana.
The Court expressly granted the Lands Commission leave to enter upon the land and demarcate 46.64 hectares for the Accra Turf Club.
The Court Order was intended to enable the Lands Commission to complete the necessary land documentation in favour of the Accra Turf Club and recognised the Club’s right to occupy the land and operate its Race Course therefrom.
The 46.64 hectares therefore constitutes the land earmarked for the Accra Turf Club under the relocation arrangement and pursuant to the Court Order.
