The Ghana Police Service has interdicted a senior officer for his alleged involvement in the demolition of Accra’s only public horse racing course at Borteyman.
In a statement issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Director-General of Public Affairs, Grace Ansah-Akrofi, the Police Administration announced the interdiction of DSP Alhassan Malaika Jibril for his role in the demolition exercise at the Accra Race Course at Borteyman on Saturday, August 22, 2026.
The statement indicated that the interdiction is to facilitate investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) are investigating the matter, and anyone found culpable will be taken through the due process of the law,” the statement read.
According to the Accra Turf Club, about 200 armed men led by persons identifying themselves as Clement Dzato and another referred to as Azuma, entered the Accra Race Course at Borteyman, near the Borteyman Stadium, with nine bulldozers and one excavator.
The group was reportedly accompanied by a number of police officers under the command of DSP Jibril, who said he was stationed at Police Headquarters.
The Club says the group proceeded to demolish approximately 100 horse stables, buildings, racing facilities, vegetation, and utility services.
Horses were forcibly removed from their stables and jockeys ejected from their residential facilities, while track railings, roofing sheets, water tanks and office equipment were removed and allegedly sold on the premises.
When Lakeside Police patrol teams arrived at the scene, Dzato claimed the land had been given to him and his associates and they had taken possession.
DSP Malaika reportedly told responding officers that the individuals had presented documentation establishing ownership and police were there to provide protection, but the Club insists no court order or document was produced.
Background
The Club says it was relocated to Borteyman under a Relocation Agreement with government dated May 24, 2006. The Borteyman site is part of land compulsorily acquired under Certificate of Title No. 214/40, and the Club cites a March 8, 2005 court order in Suit No. AE/32/2004 granting the Lands Commission permission to enter and demarcate 46.64 hectares for the Accra Turf Club.
It is currently seeking a court injunction to stop the destruction and takeover of the facility.
By Prince Fiifi Yorke