Accra Turf Club protests over racecourse demolition at Borteyman

Executives and members of the Accra Turf Club staged a peaceful demonstration in Accra on Thursday, calling for government intervention after what they say was the destruction of property at the club's racecourse in Borteyman.

The club, which was established in 1923, says armed men attacked the Accra Racecourse on 22 August, destroying trucks, horse stables, sheds and other facilities.

Led by chairman Frederick Nuer, protesters marched from Independence Square through the Ministries enclave before delivering petitions at the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, Jubilee House and the Lands Commission. The demonstration ended at El-Wak Stadium.

At the Sports Ministry, Issah Mahamin, Director of Planning and Evaluation, received the petition, and another was presented at Jubilee House to Nana Yaa Jantuah, who accepted it on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama.

The club says it is seeking the President's intervention to protect land it insists belongs to the Accra Racecourse.

"We are not sitting down for somebody who is a private developer to come and develop land which is for the Accra Racecourse," Nuer said.

"We are praying for the President's intervention over this injustice."

Club secretary Samuel Newton described the protest as an effort to preserve the historic racecourse and its land at Borteyman.

At the Lands Commission, Board Chairman Dr Wordsworth Odame Larbi assured demonstrators that the Commission would continue engaging stakeholders in an effort to find an amicable resolution to the dispute surrounding the demolition and takeover of the racecourse.

Executive Secretary Anthony Owusu Ansah was also present when the petition was received.

One of the club's officials, Mohammed Jarra, said the dispute had disrupted horse racing activities, adding that although the club owns around 70 horses, only 15 are currently at the racecourse.

Around 300 people took part in the march, including horse owners, jockeys, grooms, strappers, racing enthusiasts and members of the Accra Polo Club.

The organisers also praised the Ghana Police Service and the club's security personnel for overseeing what they described as an orderly and peaceful demonstration.