Asante Traditional Buildings
Factors affecting the property in 1997*
- Financial resources
- Management activities
- Management systems/ management plan
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
- Insufficient resources available for the conservation of fragile Ashanti buildings
- Tropical climatic conditions
- Proliferation of insects
- Intensification of agriculture
International Assistance: requests for the property until 1997
Total amount approved : 47,000 USD
| 1997 | In situ training activity toward preparation of ... (Approved) | 47,000 USD |
Missions to the property until 1997**
February 1997: expert mission financed by CRATerre - EAG, at the request of the World Heritage Centre
Information presented to the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee in 1997
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 1997
At its twentieth session (June 1996), the Bureau was concerned by the insufficient resources available for the conservation of fragile Ashanti buildings, and recommended that the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board prepare, in cooperation with the Centre, conservation and management plans for the entire site, in the context of the envisaged integrated regional development plans. It requested that the Ghanian authorities inform the Committee, before its twenty-first session at the latest, of initiatives undertaken in this respect.
In February 1997, during a mission financed by CRATerre - EAG, at the request of the World Heritage Centre, an expert reported that important restoration work had been carried out during the 1966s on almost all the classified buildings (12). However, this work had been effected without any serious scientific, documented research. Although some aspects of the work have effectively reinforced the structures, other buildings require more periodic frequent examination, as some technical faults (often repeated) are apparent. Moreover, the GMMB has for many years forbidden the local population to intervene in the maintenance of the buildings, employing a guardian at each site responsible for cleaning.
The major restoration work remains the responsibility of the Ghana Museum and Monuments Board (GMMB). As the economic situation of Ghana has greatly suffered, the GMMB has experienced increasing difficulty in effecting this work, which is less and less frequently undertaken. In fact, at the beginning of 1997, certain buildings presented a state of degradation and there were serious high risk situations. Alarmed by the necessary emergency work required in the Ashante country, and following an official request from the authorities concerned, the US$ 20,000 which had been approved by the Committee for Fort Prinzenstein (Accra Fort) and which had not been utilized, as preliminary work for the placing of beach protection structures had not been carried out by the GMMB, were finally allocated to the Ashante monuments.
These funds were used to carry out a rapid study of the state of all the sites and a training workshop seminar by CRATerre - EAG, which was held in June 1997 at the most degraded site. Other than the participation of craftsmen of the GMMB, other craftsmen and village workers were trained during this course, partially on the basis of community participation. Following this training session, the local GMMB service engaged upon a similar type of work at six other sites, at their own expense, with the participation of local populations, thus avoiding further damage.
This action, although beneficial, cannot be considered as being sufficient and it will require completion through a training programme. The present conservation methods must be reviewed to make them better adapted to available means and the specific needs at each of the sites. For this it is recommended to begin the preparation of a conservation plan which involves local populations. Particular interest should be given to the conservation of traditional techniques (which will also be necessary to maintain the roofs, the bas reliefs) which are disappearing due to the strong influence in the region of western decoration and construction methods.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 1997
21 EXT.BUR V.3
Requests for International Assistance
NATURAL HERITAGE
TRAINING
Cameroon (Sub regional workshop on strengthening biodiversity conservation at the Dja Faunal Reserve) - US$ 29,900
The Bureau approved an amount of US$ 29,900.
The Bureau requested the State Party to cooperate with IUCN and the World Heritage Centre to:
(i) revise the workshop programme to include themes and issues identified in the state of conservation report on Dja;
(ii) indicate the amount of national contribution provided by the State Party;
(iii) schedule the workshop at a time to allow for better planning; and
(iv) invite the participation of bilateral donors who are financing commercial and sustainable forestry projects in the forests surrounding the site.
Philippines (Training of a core-group of personnel on human scientific dimensions of managing Tubataha Reef as a natural World Heritage site) - US$ 30,000
The Bureau approved an amount of US$ 30,000.
Russian Federation (Training workshop for natural heritage site managers from Central and Eastern Europe and Russian Central Asia) - US$ 30,000
The Bureau decided to defer the consideration of this request as the workshop had been delayed until the summer of 1999.
The Bureau requested the State Party to cooperate with the World Heritage Centre to submit a revised proposal for consideration at the Bureau's 22nd ordinary session.
Tanzania (Support for 3 fellowships for African specialists in Protected Area/Wildlife Management to the Mweka College of African Wildlife Management for the Academic Year of 1998/99) - US$ 30,000
The Bureau approved an amount of US$ 30,000.
The Bureau urged IUCN and the World Heritage Centre to cooperate with Mweka and other regional training centres to review their curricula and propose measures for enhancing use of information for World Heritage site management.
India (Meeting of regional training centres and university training institutes for curricula and training materials development, Wildlife Institute of India) - US$ 41,000
The Bureau recommended that the Committee approve a sum of US$ 30,000.
The Bureau requested the State Party to consider bearing the costs of the participation of Indian natural World Heritage site managers and specialists.
TECHNICAL COOPERATION
Dominica (Revision of the Management Plan for Morne Trois Pitons National Park) - US$ 13,900
For approval by the Chairperson, subject to the inscription of this site on the World Heritage List by the Committee at its twenty-first session, and payment of dues by the State Party to the World Heritage Fund.
The Bureau encourages the State Party to use national expertise for revising the management plan.
Niger (Purchase of Equipment for W National Park) - US$ 75,000
The Bureau recommended that the Committee approve a sum of US$ 50,000 and request the World Heritage Centre, UNESCO's equipment unit and the State Party to purchase the needed equipment through competitive bidding and in the most cost-effective manner.
The Bureau suggested that the Committee decide that the funds should not be used for maintenance of vehicles and request the State Party to co-operate with the World Heritage Centre for submitting a progress report on project implementation, to enable the Bureau, at its 22nd ordinary session, to determine whether additional funds are needed.
India (Strengthening Protection of Kaziranga National Park) - US$ 50,000
The Bureau took note of its recommendation made at its 21st ordinary session to the Committee, that the Committee approve this request.
EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
India (Contribution towards the implementation of an Emergency rehabilitation plan for Manas Wildlife Sanctuary) - US$ 160,000
The Bureau recommended that the Committee approves a supplementary allocation of US$ 90,000 for emergency assistance to cover: purchase of an additional 2 wooden fiber boats (US$ 50,000) and 400 patrolling gears (US$ 15,000), and contribution towards the construction of buildings within the site (US$ 70,000).
Democratic Republic of the Congo (Purchase of vehicles for 4 World Heritage Sites) - US$ 88,400
The Bureau, while fully recognising the need for vehicles for each of the four sites, expressed concerns over the current security situation in the eastern parts of the country and its impact on safe delivery, propser unse and maintenance of the vehicles.
Hence, the Bureau recommended that the Committee, as a first step, approves a sum of US$ 45,000 for 2 vehicles (of the US$ 90,000 requested for 4 vehicles) for any two of the four sites under consideration and request the State Party to cooperate with the World Heritage Centre to submit a progress report on project implementation to the Bureau's 22nd session.
In addition, the Bureau suggested that the Committee request the World Heritage Centre to cooperate with conservation NGOs to ensure the safe delivery and proper use and maintenance of the vehicles.
CULTURAL HERITAGE
TRAINING
Laos (Training programme for the Historic Town of Luang Prabang) - US$ 25,000
The Bureau approved an amount of US$ 25,000.
Philippines (Training to enhance the management of the Baroque Churches) - US$ 22,000
The Bureau approved an amount of US$ 22,000.
Russian Federation (Training workshop for staff and specialists in the fields of designation, protection, management and rehabilitation of Cultural World Heritage Sites in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia) - US$ 29,800
The Bureau did not approve this request. Detailed information on the use of the funds had not been provided by the State Party.
The Bureau decided that it will not consider any International Assistance requests submitted by States Parties without a detailed budget breakdown in the future.
Austria (Training Course for the examination and Conservation of Architectural Surfaces) - US$ 35,000
Transmitted directly to the Committee.
Brazil (Inter-regional postgraduate course on the conservation of Monuments and Rehabilitation of Historic Cities) - US$ 50,000
Transmitted directly to the Committee.
Ghana (Ashanti Traditional Buildings) - US$ 47,000
Transmitted directly to the Committee.
ICCROM (Development of a training strategy and procedural framework) - US$ 50,000
Transmitted directly to the Committee.
TECHNICAL COOPERATION
China (Research project for the protection of the Terracotta Warriors and Horse Pits of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor) - US$ 30,000
Chinese authorities will provide further information concerning this request. Therefore, the Bureau decided to consider this request at its twenty-second session.
Nepal (Studies on traditional architecture, construction and conservation technique, documenting Bhaktapur Monument zone building) - US$ 28,000
The Bureau approved this request on the condition that the State Party pays its contributions to the World Heritage Fund for 1997.
Furthermore, the Bureau requested the State Party to submit the results of this activity to the Bureau and stressed the importance of documentation for protecting World Heritage sites.
ICCROM (Technical Assistance Programme - TAP) - US$ 25,000
The Bureau approved an amount of US$ 25,000.
Vietnam (Revision of urban planning regulations of the Complex of Hué) - US$ 35,000
Transmitted directly to the Committee.
Zimbabwe (Preparation for a conservation plan for Khami Ruins National Monuments) - US$ 76,900
Transmitted directly to the Committee.
Mexico (Special course on the World Heritage Convention for Latin America and the Carribean) - US$ 30,000
The Bureau took note of its recommendation made at its 21st ordinary session to the Committee.
21 COM VII.C.55
Reports on the state of conservation of cultural properties noted by the Committee
VII.55 The Committee noted the decisions of the twenty-first extraordinary session of the Bureau on the following cultural properties as reflected in the report of the Bureau session, Working Documents WHC-97/CONF.208/4B Section III.C.c):
Joya de Ceren Archaeological Site (El Salvador)
Le Canal du Midi (France)
Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay (France)
Ashanti Traditional Buildings (Ghana)
Maya Site of Copan (Honduras)
Agra Fort, Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri (India)
Quseir Amra (Jordan)
Town of Luang Prabang (Lao People's Democratic Republic)
Pre-Hispanic City of Teotihuacan (Mexico)
Ilha de Mozambique (Mozambique)
Moenjodaro (Pakistan)
Baroque Churches of the Philippines (Philippines)
Old Town of Segovia and its Aqueduct (Spain)
Cultural World Heritage sites in Sri Lanka
Ancient City of Damascus (Syrian Arab Republic)
Historic Areas of Istanbul (Turkey)
Itchan Kala, Historic Centre of Bukhara (Uzbekistan)
Shibam and Zabid (Yemen).
21 COM X.1-2
Requests for International Assistance
X.1 The Committee examined International Assistance requests submitted by States Parties and advisory bodies presented in Working Document WHC-97/CONF.208/12Rev. In accordance with paragraphs 91-117 of the Operational Guidelines, the Committee took decisions concerning International Assistance requests for natural and cultural heritage above US$ 30,000.
X.2 The Committee's decisions and comments concerning International Assistance requests for natural and cultural heritage have been summarized in the following tables.
NATURAL HERITAGE
|
1. Training | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
India |
Meeting of Regional Training Centres and Selected Academic/ Training Institutions for Curricula and Training Materials Development, Wildlife Institute of India |
41,000. |
30,000. |
The Committee requested the State Party to consider bearing the costs of the participation of Indian natural World Heritage site managers and specialists. |
|
Sub-total: Training |
41,000. |
30,000. |
||
| 2. Technical Co-operation | ||||
|
India |
Strengthening Protection of the Kaziranga National Park |
50,000. |
50,000. |
The Committee approved an amount of US$ 50,000. for this project for 1998 to enable the construction of 10 guard camps (US$ 25,000.) 5 highland wildlife shelters (US$ 21,000.) and audio-visual equipment for the Park interpretation Centre at Kohara (US$ 4,000.). With reference to Article 22(d) of the Conven- tion, the Delegate of Thailand disassociated himself from this decision. |
|
Niger |
Purchase of equipment for W National Park |
75,000. |
50,000. |
After discussion of an intervention by the Delegate of Thailand, whether Article 22(d) of the Convention would exclude the construction of houses and guard posts, the Committee requested the World Heritage Centre, UNESCO equipment unit and the State Party to purchase the equipment through competitive bidding and in the most cost effective manner. The Committee decided that the funds should not be used for construction purposes and maintenance of vehicles and requested the State Party to co-operate with the Centre and to submit to the 22nd session of the Bureau, a progress report on project implementation. |
|
Sub-total: Technical Co-operation |
125,000. |
100,000. |
||
| 3. Emergency Assistance | ||||
|
Democratic Republic of Congo |
Purchase of Vehicles for four World Heritage Sites |
88,400. |
45,000. |
The Committee approved, as a first step, US$ 45,000. for 2 vehicles for any 2 of the 4 sites under consideration and requested the State Party to co-operate with the World Heritage Centre to submit a progress report on project implementation to the Bureau's 22nd session. In addition, the Committee requested the World Heritage Centre to co-operate with conservation NGO's to ensure the safe delivery and proper use and maintenance of the vehicles. |
|
India |
Contribution towards the Implementation of an Emergency Rehabilitation Plan for Manas Wildlife Sanctuary |
160,000. |
90,000. |
The Committee approved a sum of of US$ 90,000. to cover the cost of 2 wooden fibre boats (US$ 5,000.), purchase of 400 patrolling gear (US$ 15,000.) and construction of buildings within the site (US$ 70,000.) With reference to Article 22(d) of the Convention, the Delegate of Thailand disassociated himself from this decision. |
|
Sub-total: Emergency |
248,400. |
135,000. |
||
|
Total: Natural Heritage |
414,400. |
265,000. | ||
CULTURAL HERITAGE
| 1. Training | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Austria |
Training course for the Examination and Conservation of Architectural Surfaces |
35,000. |
35,000. |
A Delegate questioned whether or not requests from developed countries should be submitted, considering the limited resources of the World Heritage Fund. He furthermore, requested that participants for this course should include those from the developing countries. ICCROM clarified that this training activity would mostly address participants from Central and Eastern Europe, where conservation of architectural surfaces is particularly necessary, but where the countries faced difficulties in addressing this issue. |
|
Brazil |
Inter-regional Postgraduate Course in the Conservation of Monuments and the rehabilitation of Historic Cities (CECRE) |
50,000. |
50,000. |
|
|
Ghana |
Ashanti Traditional Buildings |
47,000. |
47,000. |
The Committee requested the State Party to clarify the target audience of this training activity while developing its programme. |
|
ICCROM |
Development of a training strategy and procedural framework |
50,000. |
40,000. |
The Committee approved a sum of US$ 40,000 to finance the expert meeting to refine the Overall Strategy and for the survey of Latin America Development Strategy. |
|
Sub-total: Training |
182,000. |
172,000. |
||
| 2. Technical Co-operation | ||||
|
Mexico |
Special course on the World Heritage Convention for Latin America and the Caribbean |
30,000. |
30,000. |
|
|
Vietnam |
Revision of urban planning regulations of the Complex of Hué |
35,000. |
35,000. |
|
|
Zimbabwe |
Preparation of a conservation plan for Khami Ruins National Monuments |
76,900. |
36,900. |
|
|
Sub-total: Technical Co-operation |
141,900. |
101,900. |
||
| 3. Emergency Assistance | ||||
|
Albania |
Butrinti |
47,000. |
100,000. |
The Committee allocated an amount of US$ 100,000. as emergency assistance, of which US$ 47,000. is for the implementation of immediate actions, as requested. The remaining funds are to be allocated, in consultation with the Chairperson of the Committee, for the development and implementation of the programme of corrective measures. |
|
Sub-total: Emergency |
47,000. |
100,000. |
||
|
Total: Cultural Heritage |
370,900. |
373,900. |
||
The Bureau may wish to adopt the following text and transmit it to the Committee for noting:
"The Bureau congratulated the Ghanian authorities for having followed up the Bureau recommendations of June 1996 and encouraged them to continue cooperation with the World Heritage Centre and ICCROM/CRATerre - EAG, to prepare a conservation plan for the entire site".
Ghana
* :
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.
