Forts and Castles, Volta, Greater Accra, Central and Western Regions
Factors affecting the property in 1998*
- Erosion and siltation/ deposition
- Financial resources
- Housing
- Illegal activities
- Management systems/ management plan
- Solid waste
- Water (rain/water table)
- Wind
- Other Threats:
Salt-laden atmosphere
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
- Erosion
- Housing
- Management systems/ management plan
- Heavy rain
- Wind
- Salt-laden atmosphere
International Assistance: requests for the property until 1998
Total amount approved : 60,000 USD
1998 |
Documentation research for the World Heritage Site ...
(Approved)
Reapproval: 03 Dec, 1999 (n°1191 - 30,000 USD)
Reapproval: 13 Sep, 2000 (n°1321 - 10,000 USD) Reapproval: 27 Jun, 2001 (n°1407 - 30,000 USD) Reapproval: 27 Jun, 2001 (n°1408 - 10,000 USD) |
40,000 USD |
1995 | Prinzensten Fort, Forts and Castles of Ghana (NOT ... (Approved) | 20,000 USD |
Missions to the property until 1998**
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 1998
The Forts and Castles of Ghana, as inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1979, consist of three castles, 15 forts in a relatively good condition, 10 forts in ruins and seven sites with traces of former fortifications. All sites are protected monuments in the custody of the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB), with the exception of James Fort, Accra and Fort William, Anomabu, which are still being used as prisons. The sites are periodically inspected, however, their regular maintenance and conservation is severely affected by the limited financial resources of the GMMB.
During the period 1992 1997 major conservation works were carried out on Cape Coast Castle in Cape Coast, St. George’s Castle and Fort St. Jago in Elmina within the scope of the Historic Preservation component of the “Central Region Integrated Development Programme” funded by UNDP and USAID.
The main threats to the sites can be confined to three principal areas:
1. Environmental pressures. The maritime tropical climate with its strong winds, heavy rainfalls and corrosive salt-laden atmosphere is a primary cause of the deterioration of the physical fabric of the buildings. In addition, some of the sites are affected by the encroachment of the sea and the erosion of the ground on which the structures are located.
2. Lack of buffer zones and develonment None of the sites included in the World Heritage property have a buffer zone or fully defined boundaries. The encroachment of human settlements and activities on the areas in the direct vicinity of the World Heritage sites, and the subsequent erosion and pollution of the surroundings, create a serious threat to the safeguarding of the properties. The most serious issue is the on-going illegal quarrying of sand and soil around the forts, which can eventually undermine the stability of the structures. The waste dumping and contamination of the beaches around the forts are another disturbing practice.
3. Lack of adeauate funding for the regular maintenance and conservation of the sites Apart from the above-mentioned assistance provided by UNDP and USAID, practically all finance for the sites is provided by the Government of Ghana through its annual budget. However, the level of funding is far too inadequate to meet the basic needs of maintenance and conservation. As a result, some of the structures have deteriorated so badly that an urgent intervention is needed to prevent them collapsing.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 1998
22 EXT.BUR V.3
Requests for international assistance - Cultural heritage
TRAINING
Brazil (Specialized course on Integrated Territorial and Urban Conservation – Brazil programme ITUC 1999-2000) - US$ 49,900
The outgoing Bureau recommended the approval of US$ 49,000 by the Committee.
China (Training programme for site managers of World Heritage Cities in China – Consolidation of the International Conference for Mayors of Historic Cities in China and the European Union) - US$ 35,000
The outgoing Bureau recommended the approval of US$ 35,000 by the Committee. ICCROM announced its full support and availability to actively participate to further develop the programme of this activity.
The Bureau, appreciating the initiatives taken by the Chinese Government to address the problems faced in the preservation of urban historical fabric in the context of rapid urban development in Asia, strongly supported this request.
The Bureau recommended that the Committee may wish to request the State Party to strengthen the proposed programme by increasing links between ICCROM’s ITUC programme and this training exercise, as proposed by ICCROM in their evaluation of the request.
Furthermore, the Bureau recommended that the Committee request the State Party to give sufficient attention to follow-up after the training activity.
Colombia, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Panama (Training in underwater archaeology) - US$ 59,838
The outgoing Bureau recommended that the Committee request the States Parties to reformulate the request, so that the project proposed was relevant to the implementation of the World Heritage Convention.
Furthermore, it encouraged the State Party to utilize the network of existing international organizations and institutions specializing in underwater heritage conservation, and to consider the possibility of extending the target audience quantitatively and geographically.
Lebanon (Training Programme of Conservators-Restorers in the field of Mural Paintings at the World Heritage sites of Lebanon) - US$ 60,000
The outgoing Bureau recommended the approval of US$ 60,000 by the Committee, requesting the State Party to conduct the activity at a subregional level, including participants from the Syrian Arab Republic and Jordan.
Russian Federation (International training workshop for World Heritage cultural site managers from Eastern and Central Europe) - US$ 40,000
The outgoing Bureau recommended the approval of US$ 40,000 by the Committee, subject to the agreement by the State Party to co-operate closely with ICCROM for developing the curriculum and widening the scope of themes to be addressed, to include new modules of conservation management.
TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION
Brazil (Restoration of the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus de Congonhas) - US$ 32,574
The outgoing Bureau recommended approval of US$ 32,574 by the Committee.
Cuba (Rescue and preservation activities of La Estrella Fortress and of Smith (Gramma) Key at the San Pedro de la Roca Castle, Santiago de Cuba) - US$ 50,000
The outgoing Bureau recommended approval of US$ 50,000 by the Committee.
Egypt (Rehabilitation programme for Islamic Cairo) - US$ 200,000 (US$ 600,000 oveer three years)
The outgoing Bureau recommended approval of US$ 120,000 by the Committee, subject to the State Party agreeing to report on the progress made in each phase of the implementation of the programme to the Committee, and subject to the State Party agreeing to contribute an equal amount of funds for the first year.
Ghana (Documentation research for Forts and Castles of Ghana) - US$ 40,000
The outgoing Bureau recommended approval of US$ 40,000 by the Committee, considering the importance of documenting historical data and iconographic material for enhanced management and conservation of the Forts and Castles of Ghana.
However, the Bureau recommended approval of this grant, subject to the :
(i) Terms of Reference for the international consultant explicitly including a preliminary mission to Ghana to develop proper policies for compilation, storage, handling and conservation of the collection, and;
(ii) World Heritage Centre ascertaining that there are trained staff members at GMMB who would be assigned to the Documentation Centre.
Peru (Emergency measures at the Lines and Geoglyphes of Nasca and Pampas de Jumana) - US$ 50,000
The outgoing Bureau recommended approval of US$ 50,000 by the Committee.
Philippines (GIS for mapping the Rice Terraces of the Philippines, and for strengthening enhanced management) - US$ 131,846
The outgoing Bureau recommended approval of US$ 50,000 by the Committee for the purchase of computer equipment through the UNESCO Equipment Unit, and for partially funding the international expert services, subject to the authorities of the Philippines securing funds from other international agencies or donors such as UNDP.
The Bureau recommended that the Committee requests the UNESCO Regional Advisor for Culture in the Asia-Pacific Region and the UNESCO Representative in Jakarta to assist the authorities of the Philippines in mobilizing such funds from other sources.
Syrian Arab Republic (Conservation Projects for the Ancient City of Damascus) - US$ 50,000
The outgoing Bureau recommended approval of US$ 30,000 by the Committee on the condition that the State Party submits detailed information concerning the budget breakdown.
Turkey (Conservation work of the mosaics of Hagia Sophia) - US$ 100,000 (US$ 250,000 over two years)
The outgoing Bureau recommended approval of US$ 50,000 by the Committee, representing the last contribution for the conservation works for the mosaics of the Hagia Sophia.
22 COM VII.35
SOC: Forts and Castles of Ghana (Ghana)
VII.35 Forts and Castles of Ghana (Ghana)
The Forts and Castles of Ghana, as inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1979, consist of three castles, 15 forts in a relatively good condition, ten forts in ruins and seven sites with traces of former fortifications. All sites are protected monuments in the custody of the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB), with the exception of James Fort, Accra and Fort William, Anomabu, which are still being used as prisons. The sites are periodically inspected, however, their regular maintenance and conservation is severely affected by the limited financial resources of the GMMB.
During the period 1992-1997 major conservation works were carried out on Cape Coast Castle in Cape Coast, St. George's Castle and Fort St. Jago in Elmina within the scope of the Historic Preservation component of the "Central Region Integrated Development Programme" funded by UNDP and USAID.
The main threats to the sites can be confined to three principal areas: environmental pressures; lack of buffer zones and development pressure and lack of adequate funding for the regular maintenance and conservation of the sites.
The Committee:
- thanked the national authorities in Ghana for their efforts in preservation of the World Heritage sites in Ghana and congratulated them on the recent conservation works carried out in Cape Cost and Elmina;
- urged the national authorities to ensure that all the Forts listed as World Heritage are not used for unrelated purposes such as prisons and that their World Heritage values are preserved;
- recommended priority be given to sustainable conservation and not to the rehabilitation of buildings for tourism purposes;
- recommended that action be taken urgently to define buffer zones around the properties, as well as other protective measures to stop further environmental degradation of the areas in the direct vicinity of the World Heritage sites;
- recommended that the national authorities in Ghana submit an Emergency Assistance request with regard to the urgent conservation works on some of the Forts;
- encouraged the authorities to implement awareness building activities among the population.
22 COM XII
Requests for International Assistance: Cultural Heritage
Cultural Heritage: Requests examined by the Committee
Paragraph No. as presented in WHC-98/CONF.203/ 14Rev. |
Requesting State Party |
Type of Assistance |
Description |
Amount Approved (US$) |
Comments/ Observations/ Conditions |
B.2.1.1 |
Brazil |
Training |
Specialized course on Integrated Territorial and Urban Conservation - Brazil programme ITUC 1999-2000 |
49,900 |
|
B.2.1.2 |
China |
Training |
Training programme for site managers of World Heritage Cities in China - Consolidation of the International Conference for Mayors of Historic Cities in China and the European Union |
35,000 |
The Committee requested the State Party to strengthen the proposed programme by increasing links between ICCROM's ITUC programme and this training exercise, as proposed by ICCROM in their evaluation of the request. Furthermore, the Committee requested the State Party to give sufficient attention to follow-up after the training activity. The Observer of China expressed her Government's appreciation for the grant from the World Heritage Fund for carrying out this activity. |
B.2.1.3 |
Colombia, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Panama |
Training |
Training in underwater archaeology |
|
The Committee did not approve this request. It took note of the advisory bodies' comments: ICCROM, although supporting the initiative of the States Parties, suggested reformulation of the request to strengthen the component of conservation within the programme. ICOMOS, stating that neither the specialized ICOMOS Underwater Cultural Heritage Committee nor ICOMOS had been consulted on the formulation of this request, stressed that emphasis should be placed on conservation if this activity was to be funded under the World Heritage Fund, as part of the implementation of the World Heritage Convention. The Committee requested the States Parties to reformulate the request, so that the project proposed was directly relevant to the implementation of the World Heritage Convention. Furthermore, it encouraged the State Party to utilize the network of existing international organizations and institutions specializing in underwater heritage conservation, and to consider the possibility of extending the target audience quantitatively and geographically. The Committee took note that the United States of America had announced that, if requested, it could make available the specialized expertise for underwater heritage protection from the relevant USA authorities and the National Park Service. The Committee noted that there was a draft UNESCO Convention for the Protection of Underwater Heritage. |
B.2.1.4 |
Lebanon |
Training |
Training Programme of Conservators-Restorers in the field of Mural Paintings at the World Heritage sites of Lebanon |
60,000 |
The Committee requested the State Party to conduct the activity at a sub-regional level, including participants from the Syrian Arab Republic and Jordan. |
B.2.1.5 |
Russia |
Training |
International training workshop for World Heritage cultural site managers from Eastern and Central Europe |
40,000 |
The Committee approved US$ 40,000, subject to the agreement by the State Party to co-operate closely with ICCROM for developing the curriculum and widening the scope of themes to be addressed, to include new modules of conservation management. |
Cultural Heritage |
Sub-total |
Training |
184,900 |
||
B.2.2.1 |
Brazil |
Technical Co-operation |
Restoration of the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus de Congonhas |
32,574 |
|
B.2.2.2 |
Cuba |
Technical |
Rescue and preservation activities of La Estrella Fortress and of Smith (Gramma) Key at the San Pedro de la Roca Castle, Santiago de Cuba |
50,000 |
|
B.2.2.3 |
Egypt |
Technical Co-operation |
Rehabilitation programme for Islamic Cairo |
120,000
|
The Committee approved US$ 120,000, stressing that this approval was an exceptional case. The Committee requested the State Party to submit a full report on the implementation of this activity after one year, for presentation to the 23rd Session of the Committee. Although fully supportive of the initiatives taken by the Egyptian authorities, a few Committee members questioned whether such a large grant should be approved, in view of the limited resources available from the World Heritage Fund. Furthermore, a member of the Committee expressed his concern, as a matter of principle, whether the Committee should commit itself to partially funding such a large project for a three-year period. However, the Delegate of Morocco, supported by other Committee members, stressed that Islamic Cairo was one of the most endangered World Heritage sites, and taking into consideration previous grants to Egypt for protecting its heritage sites, the Committee should continue to aid this State Party for rehabilitating Islamic Cairo. The Committee decided to approve US$ 120,000 for the first year of the project, underlining that this was an exceptional case in view of the State Party's commitment to fund an equal amount of funds for the first year of activities, and the Committee further requested the State Party to submit a full report on the progress made in the implementation of this project to the 23rd Session of the Committee. The Observer of Egypt, thanking the Committee for the generous grant for the first year of activities, underlined the tremendous scale of the rehabilitation project for Islamic Cairo. He assured the Committee of his Government's commitment in implementing this hundreds of million dollar project, and stated that the technical assistance grant would represent a minimal portion within the total project budget. |
Paragraph No. as presented in WHC-98/CONF.203/14Rev. |
Requesting State Party |
Type of Assistance |
Description |
Amount Approved(US$) |
Comments/ Observations/ Conditions |
B.2.2.4 |
Ghana |
Technical |
Documentation research for Forts and Castles of Ghana |
40,000 |
The Committee approved the request, considering the importance of documenting historical data and iconographic material for enhanced management and conservation of the Forts and Castles of Ghana. However, the Committee approved the grant, subject to the following conditions : (a)Terms of Reference for the international consultant explicitly including a preliminary mission to Ghana to develop proper policies for compilation, storage, handling and conservation of the collection, and; (b)The World Heritage Centre ascertaining that there are trained staff members at Ghana Monuments and Museums Board who would be assigned to the Documentation Centre. |
B.2.2.5 |
Peru |
Technical |
Emergency measures at the Lines and Geoglyphes of Nasca and Pampas de Jumana |
50,000 |
The Committee noted that the Peruvian authorities were evaluating the state of conservation of the site for possible nomination for inscription on the List of World Heritage in Danger. |
B.2.2.6 |
Philippines |
Technical Co-operation |
GIS for mapping the Rice Terraces of the Philippines, and for strengthening enhanced management. |
50,000 |
The Committee approved US$ 50,000 for purchasing computer equipment and for partially funding the international expert fees. The Observer of the Philippines expressed his Government's appreciation for the generous grant approved by the Committee for producing new and adequate maps for efficient and adequate management of this site of immensely high quality cultural landscape, which is very vulnerable to a variety of adverse impacts. |
B.2.2.7 |
Syrian Arab Republic |
Technical Co-operation |
Conservation Projects for the Ancient City of Damascus |
30,000 |
The Committee approved of US$ 30,000 on the condition that the State Party submits further detailed information concerning the budget breakdown. |
B.2.2.8 |
Turkey |
Technical Co-operation |
Conservation work of the mosaics of Hagia Sophia |
50,000 |
The Observer of Turkey expressed his Government's appreciation for the Committee's approval for the request, although reduced. He confirmed that the restoration works were being carried out with the best of intentions, and that the national authorities had recently increased the national budget for Hagia Sophia restoration work to US$ 700,000. |
Cultural Heritage |
Subtotal |
Technical Co-op. |
422,574 |
||
|
|
|
Paragraph No. as presented in WHC-98/CONF.203/ 14Rev. |
Requesting State Party |
Type of Assistance |
Description |
Amount Approved(US$) |
Comments/ Observations/ Conditions |
|
Malta |
Emergency Assistance |
Urgent conservation work for Hagar Qim, Megalithic Temples |
72,448.75 |
The Committee approved an urgent emergency assistance request submitted by Malta. The Committee took note of the evaluations of ICOMOS and ICCROM for the emergency assistance request. The Committee appreciated the urgency to address the catastrophic nature of the collapse of Hagar Qim, and considered this request could be funded from the emergency reserve. The Committee approved US$ 72,448.75 for (a) conducting a preliminary endoscopic survey; (b) reconstruction of the collapsed portion of Hagar Qim; and (c) installing an adequate monitoring system and conducting studies for preparing a long-term protection plan. The Committee requested the UNESCO Equipment Unit to assist the Maltese authorities in procuring the necessary equipment. The Maltese Delegate expressed his Government's deep appreciation for the immediate action taken by the Committee. |
Cultural Heritage |
Subtotal |
Emergency Assistance |
72,448.75 |
ICCROM
Paragraph No. as presented in WHC-98/CONF.203/ 14Rev. |
Description |
Amount Requested(US$) |
Comments/Observations/ Conditions |
ICCROM 1 |
AFRICA-2009 Conservation of immovable cultural heritage in Sub-Saharan Africa |
100,000 |
The Committee noted that the AFRICA-2009 Programme is a joint initiative of the World Heritage Centre, ICCROM and CRATerre-EAG, launched in March 1998 in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, with the endorsement of nine Sub-Saharan African States Parties. |
ICCROM 2 |
2.1 PAT 99 - Second Pan-American Course on the Conservation and Management of Earthen Architectural and Archaeological Heritage; 2.2 ITUC Programme for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention - Second International ITUC Workshop |
78,470
30,000 |
Paragraph No. as presented in WHC-98/CONF.203/14Rev. |
Description |
Amount Requested(US$) |
Comments/Observations/ Conditions |
ICCROM 3 |
3.1 Development of global training strategy in South East Asia 3.2 Scientific Development of the World Heritage Convention - Reference manual of methodologies for assessing the state of conservation of World Heritage sites |
25,000
8,000
|
3.1 The Committee approved US$ 25,000, requesting ICCROM to carry out a needs assessment, which would lead to the development of training curricula, which could be used (a) within university architecture and urban planning departments to teach future architects and urban planners the basics of heritage conservation; and (b) by heritage site-managers to introduce and train the inhabitants, owners, community and religious leaders, local administrators and other stakeholders of World Heritage cultural sites, on the scientific basis of heritage conservation and maintenance. The Committee recommended that ICCROM develop this strategy in South-East Asia, in close co-operation with the States Parties concerned, the World Heritage Centre and the UNESCO Regional Advisor for Culture in the Asia-Pacific. 3.2 IUCN welcomed the opportunity of using this activity to enhance co-operation between the three Advisory Bodies. IUCN, reiterated the need to tightly define the target audience for the manual and that it should be aimed to support the capacity of the States Parties, as well as to enhance the process of monitoring to strengthen the management of World Heritage sites. The Committee took note that the Bureau: (1) recommended that while strongly supporting this activity, consideration for translation of the final manual into several languages should be considered from the outset; and (2) for identifying the best procedure in producing such a manual, recommended approval of an initial US$ 8,000 to hold a brainstorming session between the advisory bodies and the World Heritage Centre. Based upon the results of the first step, proposals could be made to the 23rd session of the Bureau for further funding to implement the second and third phases of this activity. |
ICCROM |
241,470 |
Cultural Heritage: Requests examined by the Bureau
Paragraph No. as presented in WHC-98/CONF.203/14Rev. |
Requesting State Party |
Type of Assistance |
Description |
Amount Approved(US$) |
Comments/ Observations/ Conditions |
B.1.1.1 |
Argentina |
Training |
Support for a Master Programme in Conservation of Heritage |
25,000 |
The Bureau decided that US$ 3,000 for promotional material would not be granted in view of the limited funds available. ICCROM advised that the Committee and Bureau address the issue of recurring requests for training assistance. ICCROM stressed that this request, as with others coming from post-graduate conservation programmes on a continuing basis, raises questions which may demand policy clarification on the Committee's part. With the number of training requests now far in excess of support funds, and with over 100 such post-graduate programmes in place in the world, it is clear that the Committee's training funds cannot be permanently committed to support operations for only a small number of these programmes. The global training strategy meeting held in Rome on 16-17 November proposes a set of criteria by which to guide future assessments of training requests. ICCROM proposes an early review of the recommendations emerging from this meeting, in order to be able to present these criteria to the Bureau meeting of June 1999. With formal consensus built around such training assistance evaluation criteria, it should be possible to ensure allocation of available funds to highest impact/highest priority programmes. |
B.1.1.2 |
Cuba |
Training |
Training for preventive conservation |
30,000 |
The Bureau decided to set aside the US$ 30,000 under the training assistance budget, in anticipation of the submission by the Cuban authorities of a reformulated request, until the 23rd Session of the Bureau. The Cuban authorities and ICCROM agreed to cooperate to reformulate the request, following the decision of the Bureau. |
Cultural heritage |
Subtotal |
Training |
55,000 |
Paragraph No. as presented in WHC-98/CONF.203/ 14Rev. |
Requesting State Party |
Type of Assistance |
Description |
Amount Approved(US$) |
Comments/ Observations/ Conditions |
B.1.2.1 |
Bulgaria |
Technical Co-operation |
Technical Equipment for Monitoring Boyana Church |
20,650 |
|
B.1.2.2 |
Cuba |
Technical Co-operation |
Conservation and management of Morro-Cabana in Havana |
28,777 |
|
B.1.2.3 |
Kenya |
Technical Co-operation |
Establishment of national cultural sites database and GIS facilities |
|
The Bureau did not approve this request. It requested the State Party to pay its dues to the World Heritage Fund, and thereafter submit a request for preparatory assistance to prepare nominations for submission to the World Heritage Committee. The Bureau requested the Secretariat and the advisory bodies to assist the State Party in preparing a preparatory assistance request, and a Tentative List. |
B.1.2.4 |
Peru |
Technical Co-operation |
Protection of Chan Chan Archaeological Zone |
8,700 |
The Bureau approved an additional US$ 8,700 for preparing a master plan for Chan Chan Archaeological Zone site, in addition to the US$ 20,000 approved in 1997. |
B.1.2.5 |
Turkey |
Technical Co-operation |
"House of Fatih Inhabitants" within the Historic Centre of Istanbul |
30,000 |
After the Bureau approved this request, the Observer of Turkey thanked the Bureau for making funds available from the World Heritage Fund for this project. Thanking the Secretariat for its excellent work in developing this project, the Observer of Turkey underlined that this grant would have a multiplier effect ("seed money"), to stimulate general interest in conservation, as prioritized by the Committee in paragraph 109 of the Operation Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention. Finally, the Observer of Turkey requested that Annex A to the Working Document WHC-98/CONF.203/14Rev, be updated and attached to the report of the twenty-second session of the World Heritage Committee, including the statement made by Professor F. Francioni, the former Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee, concerning this request. (See Annex IX) |
Cultural heritage |
Subtotal |
Technical Co-operation |
88,127 |
The Bureau recommended the Committee to adopt the following: “The Committee:
- thanks the national authorities in Ghana for their efforts in preservation of the World Heritage sites in Ghana and congratulate them on the recent conservation works carried out in Cape Cost and Elmina;
- urges the national authorities to ensure that all the Forts listed as World Heritage are not used for unrelated purposes and that their World Heritage values are preserved;
- recommends that action be taken urgently to define buffer zones around the properties, as well as other protective measures to stop further environmental degradation of the areas in the direct vicinity of the World Heritage sites;
- recommends that the national authorities in Ghana submit an Emergency Assistance request with regard to the urgent conservation works on some of the Forts;
- encourages the authorities to implement awareness building activities among the population.”
* :
The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).
** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.