Accra Racecourse protesters appeal to President Mahama over demolition dispute

Horse owners, trainers and jockeys have renewed calls for government intervention following the demolition and takeover of the Accra Racecourse, saying the situation has left their livelihoods in jeopardy.

The group staged a peaceful protest through the streets of Borteyman on Tuesday before holding a second press conference at the Borteyman Sports Complex, where they appealed directly to President John Mahama to help resolve the dispute.

Representing the jockeys, Samuel Young Acheampong said members of the horse-racing community were still struggling to recover from the demolition of facilities at Borteyman, which they say has disrupted a sport that has been part of Ghana's heritage for more than a century.

"Horse racing has been a heritage sporting event since 1923 and provides income and entertainment for many people," Acheampong said.

He questioned why businessman Clement Dzato and his associates allegedly carried out the demolition without prior notice and called for authorities to investigate the matter.

Acheampong explained that the Accra Turf Club had previously been relocated after losing its original site, where the Kempinski Hotel now stands, for the Non-Aligned Movement Conference. The club was later moved to Fadama before eventually being allocated land at Borteyman.

"We want our land back and for the right thing to be done," he said.

Treasurer of the Accra Horse Owners Association and member of the Accra Turf Club, Murtala Alhassan Veron, said the demonstration was intended to highlight what he described as the unlawful destruction of the racecourse facilities.

"Our message is simple. We are here to protest the unlawful demolition of our land," he said.

"These horses are supposed to be in stables, but because the stables have been demolished, they are now on the streets."

Alhassan warned that the demolition had exposed both horses and handlers to danger, claiming that several animals had been killed by vehicles over the years.

"Since 2008, we have lost many horses on the streets after they were hit by cars," he said.

"We are young people and this is our livelihood. We have already lost enough and we are appealing to the government to come to our aid."

He also called on authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the demolition and urged the government to support the rebuilding of the racecourse infrastructure.

"We want the government to help rebuild our stables and tracks because the demolition has caused serious damage to our businesses and families," Alhassan added.

"How are we going to pay our children's school fees if our horses do not race?"

Another horse owner, Edmund Kwei Charway, said the demolition had affected investments made by members of the horse-racing community, many of whom rely on the sport as a source of income.

Several other representatives addressed the media in Twi, Ga and Hausa, stressing the economic and cultural importance of horse racing in Ghana.

Among those who joined the march were Accra Turf Club chairman Frederick Nuer and the club's secretary, Samuel Newton.

The protesters are calling on the government to reclaim and restore the racecourse facility to allow horse-racing activities to resume.