The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly has introduced a new policy to curb hypertension by banning the open display of salt in food establishments across Ghana’s second-largest city.
The measure, announced by Mayor Richard Ofori-Agyemang Boadi, targets restaurants, chop bars, and other food outlets where salt is routinely placed on tables, encouraging customers to add extra salt to meals.
Motivation
Authorities said the initiative aims to reduce excessive salt consumption and address rising rates of hypertension among residents.
“Hypertension is no longer a distant health concern; it is affecting families and productive lives across Kumasi,” the Mayor said. “By addressing everyday risk factors such as the routine availability of salt on dining tables, we are taking a practical and preventive step to protect the health of our residents.”
The policy follows a 2025 observational study by the Assembly, which found that 62% of 156 food service establishments openly displayed salt and none offered health advisories. Chop bars recorded the highest prevalence of the practice.
Data from Ghana’s health authorities show hypertension affects up to 34% of urban residents, with prevalence in the Ashanti Region as high as 37.4%, and many cases remaining undiagnosed or uncontrolled. Average daily salt consumption in Ghana is estimated at 8–10 grams, roughly twice the World Health Organization’s recommended maximum of 5 grams.
Implementation
Implementation will include public education campaigns, engagement with food service operators, and integration of salt-reduction requirements into routine environmental health inspections.
The initiative is part of the global Partnership for Healthy Cities, supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the World Health Organization, and Vital Strategies, which helps cities implement policies aimed at reducing preventable deaths from non-communicable diseases and injuries.
Joseph Ngamije, Deputy Director for Africa at the Partnership for Healthy Cities, said Kumasi’s policy demonstrates how cities can use local evidence to promote public health.
Kumasi joins over 70 cities worldwide in adopting measures designed to lower exposure to key NCD risk factors, including unsafe diets, sedentary lifestyles, and urban hazards.
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