'White only' restaurant to be dragged to court

The 'Whites only' restaurant in Accra may soon be answering charges of racial discrimination in court.

The Atlantic Lobsters and Dolphin Ltd, located in Osu, a suburb of Accra is accused of operating a white only restaurant.

Elizabeth Okoro a young woman of Ghanaian and Nigerian parentage claimed she was racially abused by owners of the restaurant and was prevented from becoming a registered member only because she is black.

“It is for whites only” she quoted an official of the restaurant as saying. The official admitted making the comment but said it was only a joke.

Shocked by the racial comment, she started a campaign on social network sites to raise awareness of the situation and has decided to take legal action against the restaurant.

Charles Zwennes, a private legal practitioner has confirmed to Joy News his firm has been instructed to pursue a law suit against the restaurant and its owners.

He said they are weighing the options and will take a decision very soon on the “ugly incident” his client went through.

Zwennes however described as repugnant and demeaning for anyone to be racially abused.

He said Ghana's constitution guarantees equality of all persons before the law, positing, it is a flagrant violation of the laws of the land for anybody to racially discriminate against another.

He said his client, having suffered racial abuse, has every right to legal remedies but noted his outfit will maintain a sense of calm and composure in taking any legal action.

Meanwhile, the restaurant has been closed down by the government.

Deputy Tourism Minister James Agyenim Boateng said the Atlantic Lobsters and Dolphin Ltd is operating illegally.

According to him, as a catering service restaurant, the company ought to have been registered by the Ghana Tourism Authority but has failed to do so.

He said the closure of the company was not premised on the alleged racial discrimination.

Story by Ghana/Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com