The Accra Turf Club has called on the government to urgently intervene in the alleged forceful takeover and demolition of the Accra Race Course at Borteyman, describing the incident as a serious threat to Ghana’s horse racing heritage and the livelihoods of people within the equestrian sector.
The Club is appealing to President John Dramani Mahama and relevant state institutions to restore its possession of the facility, investigate the circumstances surrounding the demolition and ensure that persons found responsible are brought to justice.
In a statement issued on Monday, August 24, the Club said the incident occurred on Saturday, August 22, when about 200 armed men allegedly entered the Race Course with nine bulldozers and an excavator.
“On Saturday, 22 August 2026, a group of about 200 armed men, led by persons identifying themselves as Clement Dzato and another person referred to as Azuma, forcefully entered the premises of the Accra Race Course,” the Club stated.
According to the Club, the group was accompanied by police officers under the command of a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), identified as Malaika.
It said the men proceeded to demolish about 100 horse stables, buildings, racing facilities and utility infrastructure, while horses were allegedly forced out of their stables and jockeys ejected from their residential facilities.
The Club further alleged that track railings, roofing sheets, water tank stands and other valuables were removed from the premises, while its office equipment and other properties were destroyed.
The Turf Club is also challenging the basis for the takeover, insisting that its occupation of the Borteyman site is backed by a relocation agreement with the government and a 2005 High Court order which, according to the Club, directed the Lands Commission to demarcate 46.64 hectares for the Accra Turf Club.
It is consequently demanding that the alleged encroachers be removed from the property and that the Club’s possession and access to the Race Course be restored.
The Club also wants authorities to halt any attempt by the Lands Commission to transfer or otherwise interfere with the land earmarked for the Turf Club.
“The Accra Turf Club therefore calls for urgent, lawful and decisive intervention to protect the Club’s property, restore its possession, safeguard its horses and personnel, and preserve Ghana’s horse racing heritage,” the statement said.
The Club, established in 1923, says the Race Course represents more than a sporting facility, noting that horse racing in Accra dates back to the late 19th century and supports the livelihoods of jockeys, trainers, horse owners, groomers and others in the equestrian community.
The controversy has since taken a new turn following action by the Ghana Police Service.
The Police Administration has interdicted DSP Alhassan Malaika Jibril over his involvement in the demolition exercise at the Accra Race Course on August 22.
The interdiction, according to the Police Service, is to facilitate investigations by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB). The Police Administration has said anyone found culpable will be taken through due process of the law.
