The Accra Turf Club has made an appeal to President John Dramani Mahama to help secure the club's land and intervene in the demolition of the Accra Race Course at Borteyman. On Tuesday, stakeholders including jockeys, trainers, horse owners, and workers staged a peaceful demonstration over the continued closure of the race course. They expressed concerns about protecting their rights and livelihoods following the August 22 demolition.
The demolition, attributed to Clement Dzato and his associates, has significantly impacted the stakeholders' businesses and livelihoods. The spokesperson for the group, Samuel Acheampong, stated that the stakeholders are appealing directly to the President to regain access to the land and restore the race course. This would enable them to return to their businesses and alleviate the toll the demolition has taken on their livelihoods.
The stakeholders emphasized that the matter is not just about horse racing but also involves protecting property rights and an agreement between the government and the Turf Club. The Borteyman race course was established after the government asked the Turf Club to relocate from its former location, where the Kempinski Hotel and the Accra International Conference Centre are now situated.
According to the club, the relocation was part of a 2006 agreement with the government, and a High Court order dated March 8, 2005, authorised the demarcation of 46.64 hectares for the Turf Club. The protesters called on the Lands Commission to complete the documentation of the 46.64 hectares and issue the appropriate title to the Turf Club in accordance with the relocation arrangement.
The stakeholders claimed that the club had honoured its side of the agreement and expected the government and its agencies to do the same. The demonstration followed an earlier protest on September 10, during which affected stakeholders and supporters marched through Accra's principal streets and presented a petition.
The August 22 demolition has created serious hardship for people whose work depended on the race course. Many workers have lost their incomes, and some who lived at the facility have lost their accommodation. Families are struggling to meet basic needs, including food, rent, and school expenses.
The continued closure of the facility has also affected horse owners and other businesses connected to racing. There have been no races, training, or stable work since the demolition, further worsening the plight of people whose livelihoods depended on the facility. The stakeholders are seeking the President's intervention to restore their livelihoods and secure their property rights.
Key points
- The Accra Turf Club appeals to President John Dramani Mahama to intervene in the demolition of the Accra Race Course at Borteyman.
- The demolition has significantly impacted the stakeholders' businesses and livelihoods.
- The stakeholders claim the club had honoured its side of the 2006 agreement with the government.
