The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has arrested Dr Clemence Gyato in connection with the alleged unlawful demolition of buildings and structures belonging to the Accra Race Course at Borteyman in Accra.
Dr Gyato was arrested on Thursday, September 10, 2026, and is currently in police custody assisting investigations into the circumstances surrounding the demolition.
The incident dates back to August 22, when the Accra Turf Club reported that about 200 men, accompanied by police officers and heavy-duty machinery, entered the race course and carried out a large-scale demolition.
According to the Turf Club, nine bulldozers and an excavator were used during the exercise, resulting in the destruction of about 100 horse stables, buildings and other racing infrastructure. The Club also alleged that horses were removed from their stables and jockeys were forced out of their accommodation.
The demolition triggered strong opposition from the horse racing community, with the Accra Turf Club calling for an investigation into who authorised the exercise and the reported takeover of the property.
The Police Administration subsequently interdicted Deputy Superintendent of Police Alhassan Malaika Jibril over his alleged involvement in the demolition, saying the action was intended to facilitate investigations into the circumstances surrounding the exercise.
The controversy escalated on September 10 when members of the horse racing community staged a demonstration in Accra and petitioned the Presidency, the Ministry of Sports and Recreation and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources over the demolition and alleged takeover of the facility.
The latest arrest of Dr Gyato forms part of the CID’s efforts to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
Police have not disclosed the specific allegations against Dr Gyato or stated what role he is suspected of playing in the demolition.