Accra Turf Club: Borteyman Demolition Petition Delivered to Presidency

• The Accra Turf Club and horse racing community marched through Accra on September 10, 2026, to petition the Presidency and relevant ministries.
• Their protest followed the August 22, 2026, demolition and alleged takeover of their Borteyman facility by unknown individuals under security protection.
• The club seeks presidential intervention from John Mahama to ensure a land swap agreement between the State and the club is respected.
• They cited the President's call for transparent public property management and warned of impacts on jobs and livelihoods.
• Presidential staffer Nana Yaa Jantuah received the petition, assuring demonstrators of the President's commitment to addressing their concerns.

The club argued that the incident provides a crucial opportunity for the government to demonstrate its commitment to transparent management of public property.

Members of Ghana's horse racing community, including jockeys and horse owners, recently took to the streets of Accra in a peaceful demonstration, culminating in a petition delivered to the Presidency. The protest, which commenced at Independence Square on September 10, 2026, saw participants march through key thoroughfares before stopping at the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, and the Lands Commission. Their ultimate destination was the Jubilee House, where the Accra Turf Club formally presented its grievances.

The core of the petition addressed the August 22, 2026, demolition and alleged takeover of the club's facility at Borteyman. The club reported that this action was carried out by unidentified individuals operating under security protection. The demonstration aimed to draw the highest level of government attention to what the club describes as an injustice, seeking direct intervention from President John Mahama.

At the center of the Accra Turf Club Borteyman demolition petition is a long-standing land dispute involving a crucial agreement between the State and the club. The Accra Turf Club explicitly called upon President John Mahama to ensure that this land swap agreement is honored and respected. They framed their appeal not merely as a protest but as a plea for justice from the nation's highest office, emphasizing the importance of upholding such commitments.

Beyond the specific land deal, the club also invoked the President's own public stance on governance, specifically his assertion that "Public property must be managed transparently." The club contended that the incident at Borteyman presents a significant opportunity for the government to concretely demonstrate its adherence to this principle, thereby reinforcing public trust in the management of state assets. This highlights a broader Ghana land rights dispute narrative, where transparency in public property dealings is increasingly scrutinized.

The Accra Turf Club underscored the severe economic ramifications of the Borteyman racecourse demolition, warning that the ongoing dispute could directly jeopardize numerous jobs and livelihoods within the horse racing sector. The club articulated a strong sentiment, stating that "Justice delayed is justice denied," thereby stressing the urgency of a swift and equitable resolution to the matter. This perspective broadens the scope of the issue beyond a mere property dispute, positioning it as a concern for economic stability and social welfare within the community.

The petition was officially received by presidential staffer Nana Yaa Jantuah at the Jubilee House. Ms. Jantuah assured the demonstrators that the President is committed to addressing their concerns, signaling that the matter has indeed reached the highest echelons of government. This response suggests that the Accra Turf Club Presidency petition has successfully garnered the attention it sought, setting the stage for potential governmental review and action regarding the Ghana racecourse land dispute.

Lawyers advising on property law or land acquisitions in Ghana should note this high-profile land dispute involving a state entity and a private club, highlighting the potential for challenges to existing agreements and the avenue of petitioning the Presidency for intervention. It also signals increased scrutiny on transparent management of public property.

Source: Original reporting via Carbonatix