Accra Turf Club petitions Sports Minister over racecourse takeover

The Accra Turf Club has petitioned Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams after what it described as a forceful takeover and demolition at the Borteyman Race Course in Accra.

The club's chairman, Frederick Nuer, told the minister that about 200 armed men entered the racecourse on Saturday, 22 August, allegedly demolishing parts of the facility and taking control of the premises.

According to the club, the group was led by two men who identified themselves as Clement Dzato and another known as Azuma. The club said the incident has raised concerns over the safety and future of one of Ghana's oldest sporting venues.

Mr Nuer said horse racing in Accra dates back to 1876, while the Accra Turf Club was formally established in 1923.

He explained that the club relocated to Borteyman after leaving its original racecourse, where the National Security Secretariat and the Kempinski Hotel now stand.

The move, he said, followed a 2006 agreement with the government and was backed by a 2005 court order recognising the club's right to occupy 46.64 hectares of land in the Borteyman enclave.

Mr Adams described the demolition as "unfortunate" and praised the club for preserving horse racing as part of Ghana's sporting heritage.

He said he would work with relevant state institutions to address the dispute and safeguard livelihoods linked to the club.

The minister also said the government plans to develop a sports village on land it has acquired in the Borteyman area, adding that preserving sports facilities and green spaces forms part of Ghana's broader response to climate change.