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The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly in a bold move to tackle the growing threat of hypertension, has passed a resolution banning the open display of salt in all food establishments across the city. The policy, effective immediately, aims to reduce excessive salt consumption and curb rising rates of hypertension among residents.
The Mayor of Kumasi, Hon. Richard Ofori-Agyemang Boadi, announced the policy decision, stating, “Hypertension is no longer a distant health concern; it is affecting families and productive lives across Kumasi. 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 resolution is informed by a 2025 observational study of 156 food service establishments, which found that 62% of establishments openly display salt on tables or counters, enabling customers to add extra salt to meals already prepared with salt. Chop bars recorded the highest prevalence of this practice.
The policy decision is part of Kumasi’s commitment to improving the health and well-being of its residents through sustainable, evidence-based urban policies.
The city joins a global network of cities committed to preventing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and injuries through the Partnership for Healthy Cities.
Implementation of the resolution will begin this year, with planned activities including public education campaigns, engagement with food service operators, and integration of salt-reduction requirements into routine environmental health inspections.
The Partnership for Healthy Cities is supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and Vital Strategies. The initiative enables cities to deliver high-impact policy or programmatic interventions to reduce NCDs and injuries.
Kumasi’s decision demonstrates how cities can use local data to take practical action that protects public health. “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,” said Joseph Ngamije, Deputy Director for Africa, Partnership for Healthy Cities.
