The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly in the Ashanti Region passed a resolution banning the open display of salt in all food establishments across the city.
The move aims to reduce excessive salt consumption and to curb rising rates of hypertension among residents in the metropolis.The resolution, which was approved during the assembly’s recent meeting, targets a common practice in restaurants, chop bars, and other food outlets where salt is often placed on tables, encouraging overconsumption beyond what is used in food preparation.
This intervention is supported by the Partnership for Healthy Cities, a prestigious global network of more than 70 cities committed to saving lives by tackling preventable diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer and injuries.
It is supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, in partnership with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the global health organisation Vital Strategies.
Announcing the decision, the Chief Executive, KMA, Richard Ofori Agyeman-Boadi, said hypertension was no longer a distant health concern as it was affecting families and productive lives across Kumasi. The Kumasi Metro Nutritionist, Sandra Ama Pomaa Asuming, in an interview said the area in 2023 recorded 18,864 hypertension cases, and in 2024 a total of 18, 344 cases were also recorded in public health facilities.
“I wish to caution people that they put their health at risk if they put more salt into foods already prepared.
It will be in their own interest to do away with this age-old practice as it exposes them to hypertension,” she stressed.
The Deputy Director for Africa, Partnership for Healthy Cities, Joseph Ngamije, said KMA’s decision showed how cities can use local data to take practical action that protects public health.
