Stakeholders Back KMA’s Push to Ban Open Display of Salt in Food Establishments

In a decisive move to improve public health in the Kumasi Metropolis, stakeholders have voiced strong support for the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly’s (KMA) proposal to ban the open display of salt in food service establishments. The endorsement was given during a community durbar held on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at Atasomanso, part of a citywide sensitisation campaign led by KMA in collaboration with Partnership for Healthy Cities.

The durbar attracted a wide range of participants, including food vendors, restaurant operators, hoteliers, caterers, health professionals, regulatory authorities, and traditional leaders. The gathering underscored the urgent need to curb excessive salt consumption, which has been linked to hypertension and other life-threatening conditions.

Stakeholders unanimously endorsed the Assembly’s call to regulate salt use, emphasizing that open display of salt on dining tables in restaurants and other eateries encourages overconsumption. This aligns with recommendations from the first stakeholders’ meeting held at Adum Amanfrom on November 27, 2025, where participants proposed that KMA introduce a bye-law to address the practice.

The campaign slogan “Te nkyene no so!”, meaning “Reduce salt intake!”, was enthusiastically endorsed by participants, who raised their right hands in a symbolic commitment to the initiative.

Representing the Mayor of Kumasi, Senior Budget Analyst Mr. Jones Kani highlighted that the KMA, in partnership with Partnership for Healthy Cities, is prioritising the health of residents by tackling the overuse of salt in food establishments. He urged food service operators, households, and the general public to actively participate in the campaign and support the move against hypertension.

Presenting research findings, Zeinab Acheampong of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) disclosed that 62% of 150 surveyed food service establishments in Kumasi openly displayed salt on dining tables. She warned that this common practice poses significant health risks to consumers who may unknowingly exceed safe salt intake levels.

Health expert Dr. Patricia Darko of Kumasi Technical University called on all stakeholders to join hands in the fight against excessive salt consumption. She praised KMA and Partnership for Healthy Cities for their proactive approach, noting that education, combined with regulation, could save countless lives.

Sandra Ama Pomaa Asuming from the Metro Health Directorate added that while salt plays an essential role in taste enhancement, digestion, and nerve and muscle function, its misuse can result in high blood pressure, kidney damage, nerve complications, and stomach cancer. She reminded the public that the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a daily salt intake of no more than five grams.

Hon. Abraham Boadi, Convenor of KMA’s Health Sub-Committee, reinforced the call for a legislative framework to enforce the ban on open salt display, describing it as an urgent step to protect residents’ health.

The durbar was attended by prominent local figures, including Hon. Abdul Samed, Assembly Member for Atasomanso; Hon. Isaac Kofi Yamoah, Assembly Member for Santasi; Mr. Silas Boadu, Nhyiaeso Sub-Metro Administrator; Mr. Atakorah Amaniampong, Nhyiaeso Sub-Metro Environmental Health Officer; and traditional leaders from Atasomanso and surrounding communities.

Nana Osei Okuradom, Nkosuohene of Atasomanso, thanked the Assembly and its partners for prioritising public health. He assured that traditional leaders would actively support the campaign, helping to enforce prudent salt usage within their communities.

Participants left the durbar with heightened awareness of the dangers associated with excessive salt intake and committed to promoting responsible salt consumption in their homes, restaurants, and communities.

KMA’s push to regulate salt use in food establishments reflects a growing commitment to public health, highlighting a proactive approach to reducing the risk of hypertension and related diseases across the Kumasi Metropolis.