Stand Off Over Warehouse - Violence Looms

Tension is mounting at GIHOC Refrigeration and Household Products Co. Ltd on plot 19 at the industrial area. A stand off between GIHOC workers and a Lebanese businessman, Ihad Chalhoub who shares boundaries with GIHOC on plot 18, over a warehouse is threatening to blow over into violence

ADM inquiries indicate that in 1979 the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) confiscated both companies. However, in 1993 when the erstwhile government of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) decided to de-confiscate assets, plot 18 was handed to its owner, Hanna Chalhoub the father of Ihab Chalhoub.

The Personnel Manager of GIHOC, Mr. Nielson Atsu-Nyasordzi told ADM in an interview at his office yesterday that when the Divesture and Implementation Committee (DIC) and the Confiscated Assets Committee (CAC) decided to deconfiscate plot 18 "they wrongfully added the warehouse, boys quarters and a petrol filling station which are all on block 19."

He said when the management of GIHOC, situated on block 19 protested against the move, DIC and CAC said the warehouse, boys quarters and the petrol filling station were being used to compensate owners of plot 18.

Speaking in the presence of the Engineer of GIHOC, Mr. Amoah Larbi, he said there was an agreement for the owners of plot 18 to pay rent on the warehouse but immediately Ihad Chalhoub inherited the plot from his late father "he stopped paying the rent".

The Personnel Manager who was flipping through documents to buttress his point said despite a number of letters to DIC and CAC to resolve the issue, there had not been any response.

A letter dated 29th April1996 signed by the Ag. General Manager of GIHOC, Mr. R.S Agar to DIC and CAC said, "we would like to inform you that in December, 1993 when Plot 18 was deconfiscated and handed over to its original willed owner, a warehouse and petrol station attached which is on Plot 19 have been wrongfully handed over to them as compensation. We are therefore appealing to you to use your good offices in correcting the wrongful release of the said warehouse on Plot 19 back to us to prevent him from being insolent and hostile to us."

The letter with a long heading, "Release of Warehouse on Plot 19 to Owners of Plot 18-Bullying and Harassment of Occupants of Plot 19" stated that, "at the moment the caretaker of Plot 18, for Mr. Hannah Chalhoub who is using the said warehouse has decided to be harassing us on plot 19."

In another letter also signed by Mr. R.S Agar of GIHOC dated 1st December, 94 said, "...an intensive search conducted at the Lands Registry has revealed that the above warehouse is on Plot 19 as per attached drawing and site plan. We would therefore be most grateful if you would take the necessary steps to get the warehouse reverted to the occupants of Plot 19..."

Mr. Atsu-Nyasordzi said even though Mr. Ihad Chalhoub agreed at a meeting held on the first of this month to pay all rent outstanding, he (Chalhoud) on the 17th of this month organized thugs from Nima and the K9 Security and assaulted watchmen of GIHOC. He said the thugs padlocked the offices of GIHOC. Mr. Chalhoud, he claimed owes GIHOC about (160m as rent.

When ADM visited the warehouse in question two K9 Security Personnel were found guarding the entrance of the warehouse with a guard dog. The District Commander of the Kaneshie Police Station yesterday confirmed that the case had been reported to them. He said because the police did not deal with land cases they asked both parties to settle the case in court. He said the police had taken up the assault matter and investigations are continuing.

A worker at GIHOC, Haruna Abudu told ADM that when he reported to work and asked Ihab Chalhoub for the keys to open the office, Chalhoub called him a "black monkey."

He said he quietly headed towards the GIHOC offices when some "machomen" who were with Mr. Chalhoub followed him and battered him. He said he sustained various injuries on the legs, hand and chest and therefore reported the case to the Kaneshie police.

ADM was unable to get the side of Mr. Chalhoub in this bizarre story - a throw back to the days when assets confiscation was a major part of Ghana's governance.