Babile, Aug. 17, GNA - Ghana could develop a vibrant leather industry if Ghanaians stop eating of hide (alias "Wele", "Kawuro"), the main raw material for any leather industry.

Major Courage Quashigah, Minister of Food and Agriculture made this observation when he spoke to newsmen after visiting the Babile Piggery Breeding Station at Babile in the Lawra District. He therefore, appealed to both the print and electronic media to initiate campaigns of their own in order to wean Ghanaians off their animal skin eating taste to ensure a sustainable and thriving leather industry for the country.

The Babile Piggery Breeding Station is among the six agricultural stations under the ministry being rehabilitated to enable them to play a front-line role under the livestock development project.

The Minister also announced the institution of competition among the stations in order to determine their contribution to the success of the project.

Major Quashigah said stations and individual workers adjudged to have immensely contributed to the success of the project would be honoured with prizes and awards at the annual national farmers day celebration, with effect from next year.

The other breading stations are Pong-Tamale, Kintampo, Ejura, Nungua and Amrahia.
The Minister, who had earlier addressed cattle owners and dealers at Wa, called on them to form a strong association to enable them to access credit facilitieas available for the development of beef cattle, cattle specifically developed for consumption under the project. Maj. Quarshigah on Wednesday launched the livestock development project in the region at Wa.