The Mayor of Kumasi, Richard Ofori-Agyeman Boadi, has announced a new public health policy aimed at reducing excessive salt consumption in food establishments across the city as part of a comprehensive effort to address the growing cases of hypertension among residents.
The policy follows a resolution passed by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly during its sitting on December 18, 2025. The resolution prohibits the open display of salt on dining tables and counters in restaurants, chop bars and other food outlets throughout the metropolis. Authorities say the directive seeks to discourage the routine addition of extra salt to meals already prepared with salt, a practice health experts have linked to the rising prevalence of high blood pressure.
Announcing the policy, Mayor Richard Ofori-Agyeman Boadi emphasized that hypertension has become a pressing public health challenge affecting families and productive members of society within Kumasi.
“Hypertension is no longer a distant health concern; it is affecting families and productive lives across Kumasi,” the Mayor stated. “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. This resolution reflects our resolve to create healthier food environments for all.”
The Assembly’s decision was informed by findings from a 2025 observational study commissioned by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly to assess salt consumption practices in food establishments across the city. The study examined 156 food service outlets and revealed that about 62 percent openly displayed salt on tables or counters, enabling customers to add additional salt to meals already prepared with salt. Chop bars recorded the highest prevalence of the practice.
The study also revealed that none of the establishments assessed displayed health advisories on salt consumption, highlighting a significant gap in public education on the health risks associated with excessive salt intake.
Health experts have consistently warned that high salt consumption is a major contributor to hypertension and other noncommunicable diseases. Ghana’s national policy on noncommunicable diseases estimates hypertension prevalence of up to 34 percent among urban populations. Evidence from the Ashanti Region, where Kumasi is located, suggests prevalence may be as high as 37.4 percent, with many cases remaining undiagnosed or poorly controlled.
Globally, the World Health Organization recommends that adults consume less than five grams of salt per day. However, studies conducted in Ghana indicate that the average daily intake ranges between eight and ten grams, approximately 1.6 to two times higher than the recommended level.
Authorities note that with many residents increasingly relying on meals prepared outside the home, food service environments play a critical role in shaping dietary habits and influencing long-term health outcomes. By regulating the availability of salt in eateries, the Assembly aims to promote healthier eating practices and reduce the risk of hypertension and related cardiovascular diseases.
Implementation of the resolution is expected to begin this year and will include public education campaigns, stakeholder engagement with food service operators, and the integration of salt reduction requirements into routine environmental health inspections. These measures are intended to ensure compliance while encouraging lasting behavioral change among both food vendors and consumers.
The initiative is being implemented with support from the Partnership for Healthy Cities, a prestigious global network of more than 70 cities dedicated to preventing noncommunicable diseases and injuries through evidence-based interventions.
Commenting on the initiative, Joseph Ngamije praised Kumasi’s leadership in adopting data-driven public health policies.
“Kumasi’s decision shows how cities can use local data to take practical action that protects public health,” he said. “Banning the open display of salt in food establishments is a proven approach to reducing excessive salt consumption and an effective way to prevent hypertension. Kumasi is demonstrating leadership by acting on evidence.”
The Partnership for Healthy Cities is supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies in collaboration with the World Health Organization and the global health organization Vital Strategies.
Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Region and Ghana’s second-largest city, remains one of the country’s leading cultural and commercial centres. City authorities say the new salt reduction policy reflects Kumasi’s commitment to implementing sustainable and evidence-based urban health policies that improve the well-being of its residents.
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HENRIETTA A.K. ABOAGYE
(Public Relations Officer)
For: Metro Chief Executive
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