Stakeholders in Kumasi‘s food and health sectors are calling on the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) to ban the open display of salt on dining tables in restaurants and other food service outlets across the city.
The call came during a stakeholder meeting organized by the KMA with support from the Partnership for Healthy Cities. Food vendors, hoteliers, caterers, health professionals, and opinion leaders united to address rising salt-related health issues.
Participants proposed a by-law to remove salt from tables, citing its role in habitual overconsumption. The campaign adopted the slogan “Te nkyene no so!”, meaning “Reduce salt intake!”, as a collective rallying call.
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Mr. Nathaniel Cheremeh of the KMA emphasized that public education and policy measures are key to tackling salt-related illnesses. Ms. Zeinab Acheampong of the Food and Drugs Authority noted research showing widespread salt use in local food establishments, highlighting the need for stricter regulations.
Sandra Pomaa Asuming of the Metro Health Directorate warned that excessive salt intake, well above the WHO, recommended five grams per day, fuels hypertension, kidney damage, stomach cancer, and other non-communicable diseases, with cases rising in Kumasi.
Mr. Abraham Boadi, Convenor of the KMA’s Environmental and Health Sub-Committee, assured stakeholders the Assembly would seriously consider the proposed ban. Participants expressed gratitude for the sensitization and pledged their support for the campaign.
