Accra Turf Club appeals to President over race course demolition
The Accra Turf Club has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to intervene in the demolition of the Accra Race Course at Borteyman and help secure the club’s land. The appeal was made on Tuesday, when jockeys, trainers, horse owners, grooms, stable hands, veterinary service providers, feed merchants and other stakeholders staged another peaceful demonstration … The post Accra Turf Club…
The Accra Turf Club has implored President John Dramani Mahama to intervene and prevent the demolition of the Borteyman race course, urging the government to safeguard their land and livelihoods. This appeal came during a peaceful protest on Tuesday, where various stakeholders demonstrated against the ongoing closure of the race course.
The protesters' primary concern was the preservation of their rights and economic stability following the August 22 demolition, which they attributed to individuals like Clement Dzato and associates.
Samuel Acheampong, the club's spokesperson, emphasized that the stakeholders were making a direct appeal to the President to restore access to the land and re-establish the race course, thereby enabling them to continue their businesses. He highlighted the detrimental impact of the closure on their incomes, as the race course was a critical source of livelihood for many who worked there.
Acheampong stated that anything demolished should be reconstructed to allow the Turf Club and its stakeholders to resume their operations.
The protesters argued that the issue extended beyond horse racing; it encompassed property rights, livelihoods, and a prior agreement between the government and the Turf Club. They recalled that the Borteyman race course was established following the government's request for the club to relocate, as part of a 2006 agreement, with a High Court order in March 2005 authorizing the demarcation of 46.64 hectares for the Turf Club.
The protesters demanded the Lands Commission to finalize the documentation of the 46.64 hectares and issue the necessary title to the Turf Club, as per the previous agreement. They stressed that the club had fulfilled its obligations under the deal and expected the government and its agencies to reciprocate.
The demonstration followed another protest on September 10, where stakeholders and supporters marched through Accra's main streets, submitting a petition. The August 22 demolition had caused significant hardship for those whose work depended on the race course, with many losing income and some losing their accommodation at the facility, including families struggling to meet basic needs.
The closure had also halted all activities, including races, training, and stable work, exacerbating the situation for those economically dependent on the facility.
Written by urgent.news from Ghanaian Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
