Chinese craze for donkey skin causes sharp drop in population in Upper East Region

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Bolgatanga, Joseph Amiyuure, is set to launch investigations into the sudden high demand for donkeys by the Chinese living and working in that municipality.

The trend has led to a sharp decline in the number donkeys in the area.

The planned probe follows appeals made to the authorities by an Agricultural Scientist, Dr. Roger Kanton, as part of efforts to stop the killing of donkeys for their skin.

According to him, the Chinese buy donkey skins and export same to their country for medicinal purposes.

In an interview with Class91.3FM on the issue, Mr Amiyuure said he will meet the Regional Minister to find a lasting solution to the problem, which he believes is not peculiar to his municipality.

”As an Assembly, we can start something, so, I may have to meet with my Bureau of National Investigation (BNI) people and task them to find out what is happening so that we can see what to do,” he said.

He requested Dr. Kanton to come to the municipal office so that “together, we can go to the Regional Minister because you realise the sale is not only a Bolga Municipal Assembly problem, it is more of a regional problem”.