Kumasi, March 14, – The Mayor of Kumasi, Mr Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi, has unveiled a new policy to limit salt exposure in the city’s food service sector as part of efforts to reduce rising hypertension rates.
The directive, approved by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), bans the open display of salt on dining tables in restaurants, chop bars, and other eateries across the metropolis.
According to the Mayor, the measure aims to discourage customers from adding extra salt to meals, thereby promoting healthier dietary habits.
“Hypertension is no longer a distant health concern; it is affecting families and productive lives across Kumasi,” the Mayor said, in a statement released by Mrs Henrieta A.K. Aboagye, Public Relations Officer of the Assembly.
The decision follows a 2025 observational study of 156 food outlets in the metropolis, which revealed that 62 percent of establishments openly displayed salt for patrons, with chop bars recording the highest prevalence. The study also noted the absence of health advisories on salt consumption.
National statistics indicate that hypertension affects up to 34 percent of urban populations in Ghana, with some studies in the Ashanti Region recording rates as high as 37.4 percent. Excessive salt intake is a major contributing factor.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a daily intake of less than five grams of salt; however, research in Ghana shows average daily consumption ranges from eight to ten grams.
Officials noted that urban residents increasingly rely on meals prepared outside the home, making the food service sector critical in shaping dietary habits.
Implementation of the policy will begin this year and will include public education, engagement with food operators, and integration into routine environmental health inspections.
The initiative is supported by the Partnership for Healthy Cities, backed by Bloomberg Philanthropies, WHO, and Vital Strategies. Mr Joseph Ngamije, Deputy Director for Africa at the Partnership, commended Kumasi for using local evidence to guide public health interventions.
GHBUSS
14 March 2026
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