Author: Sammy Heywood Okine
The Accra Turf Club, established in 1923, has called on the Government, state institutions and other relevant authorities to urgently investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged takeover and demolition of its race course at Borteyman.
Addressing a press conference at the Accra Polo Club on Wednesday, Mr. Samuel Newton, Secretary of the Club, said the destruction had caused extensive damage to its facilities and property, which it values at millions of dollars, and disrupted horse racing activities at the historic institution.
He condemned what he described as the forceful takeover and extensive demolition of the race course at Borteyman, alleging that about 200 armed men, accompanied by police officers, entered the facility on Saturday, August 22, 2026, and destroyed the Club’s property.
He said the group, allegedly led by individuals identified as Clement Dzato and Azuma, arrived at the premises with nine bulldozers and an excavator and proceeded to demolish facilities across the race course.
According to Mr. Newton, the destruction included approximately 100 horse stables, buildings and racing facilities, vegetation, utility infrastructure, track railings, roofing sheets, water tank stands and other property. He also alleged that horses were forcibly removed from their stables and jockeys were ejected from residential facilities.
Mr. Frederick Nuer, Chairman of the Club, further claimed that the Club’s offices and equipment were destroyed, while some dismantled materials and valuables were removed from the premises and sold as scrap on the spot.
He said the Club had to contact the Lakeside Police Station and other police patrol teams after the demolition was reported.
The Secretary said officers who arrived at the scene confronted Dzato, Azuma and a police officer identified as DSP Malaika, who was accompanying the group.
He alleged that Dzato claimed the land had been given to him and his associates and that they had therefore taken possession of it.
Mr. Newton further alleged that DSP Malaika told the responding officers that the individuals had presented documentation establishing ownership of the land and that the police team was there to provide protection during the takeover.
However, he said no documentation or court order authorising the takeover or demolition was produced at the scene.
According to Mr. Newton, attempts by officers from the Lakeside Police Station and other patrol teams to halt the demolition were unsuccessful, after which the officers left while the destruction continued.
He said the Club’s officials subsequently made further appeals to relevant authorities for intervention but alleged that the demolition proceeded unabated.
He said the Club’s occupation of the Borteyman site was rooted in a long history of horse racing in Accra, which dates back to the late 19th century.
“The Accra Turf Club was established in 1923, and horse racing has subsequently become an important sporting and social activity in Ghana,” he stressed.
According to the Secretary, the Club’s current race course at Borteyman was established following the relocation of its former facility, located on land that is now occupied by major developments, including the National Security Secretariat, the Accra International Conference Centre and the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City.
He said the relocation followed a decision by the Government of Ghana to redevelop the former race course site and resulted in a Relocation Agreement dated May 24, 2006, between the Club and the Government.
He also cited a March 8, 2005 court order in Suit No. AE/32/2004 involving the Lands Commission. According to him, the order granted the Lands Commission permission to enter the land and demarcate 46.64 hectares for the Accra Turf Club.
He maintained that the order was intended to facilitate the necessary land documentation and recognised the Club’s right to occupy the Borteyman site and operate its race course there.
Meanwhile, information reaching our desk indicates that the Ghana Police Service has interdicted a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Mr. Alhassan Malaika Jibril, over his alleged involvement in the demolition exercise at the Accra Race Course on Saturday, August 22, 2026.
The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Police Professional Standards Bureau are investigating the matter. Further action will follow based on the outcome of the investigations.
