Since 2008, hypertension has remained a serious public health issue in Kumasi, with nearly 1 in 3 adults affected, marking it as one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the region.

As excessive intake of salt (sodium) salt being medically proven to be one of the major contributors of hypertension, the Kumasi Metropolitan Assemblyh has taken steps to ban its display in eateries, restaurants and bars in the region to protech residents health.

Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), made this statement on Friday, March 13, 2026, in Kumasi while announcing the Assembly’s new public health policy following a resolution passed at the KMA’s sitting on December 18, 2025 after swirling concerns of rising casses of hypertension and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the metropolis.

“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,” he said.

KMA says following an observational study conducted across 156 food service establishments in Kumasi it noticed that 62% openly displayed salt on dining tables, a practice believed to encourage customers to add extra salt to meals already prepared with the mineral.

According to the study, chop bars, topped eateries that openly display salts on dinning tables. Mr Boadi says, now it is illegal to do so.

The assembly also observed that none of the establishments assessed displayed health advisories on salt consumption, highlighting a missed opportunity to educate the public on the health risks associated with excessive salt intake

Mr. Agyeman-Boadi said the policy is intended to create a healthier food environment while encouraging both food vendors and consumers to adopt safer dietary habits.

“Hypertension is no longer a distant health concern; it is affecting families and productive lives across Kumasi,” he noted.

Nationally, non-communicable diseases affect up to 34% of urban populations, with the Ashanti Region recording a prevalence rate of about 37.4%, including many undiagnosed and uncontrolled cases.

A 2024 study by Rivia, a network of tech-driven primary care clinics, has shed light on the growing prevalence of "silent" killer diseases in Ghana, signaling a serious threat to both individuals and the healthcare system.

The report reveals that these conditions, which often develop unnoticed, are taking a significant toll on public health. It indicates that more than 80% of individuals aged 27-62 in a sample of 23,000 patients are hypertensive, with a particularly high rate of 68% among men. Additionally, the study found that 50% of a larger sample of 80,000 individuals suffer from undiagnosed or inadequately managed diabetes.

The research also highlights that lifestyle choices—such as excessive salt consumption, alcohol misuse, and stimulant abuse—are contributing to an alarming rise in kidney disease, especially among younger generations, now affecting 23% of them. Among the 27-62 age group, the top five chronic health conditions identified include hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, mental health issues, and cancers.

Addressing this growing public health crisis, the report stresses the need for a multifaceted approach, integrating government intervention, workplace health programs, and stronger preventive healthcare initiatives. It advocates for tax breaks to incentivize corporate wellness schemes and suggests that companies, unions, and associations should be required to offer subsidized annual health screenings for employees.

The report also calls for more stringent food labeling laws aimed at reducing salt and sugar consumption in processed foods, helping consumers make more informed and healthier dietary decisions. It encourages workplaces to implement regular health checkups, mental health resources, stress management programs, and physical fitness activities to promote overall well-being.

Key to improving access to preventative care, the report emphasizes the role of partnerships with providers like RiviaCare. It also urges the expansion of mobile health units and the Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) network to reach underserved areas.

Public education campaigns focused on the importance of regular health screenings and disease prevention are seen as crucial for empowering individuals to take ownership of their health. The report further stresses the need for specialized training for healthcare professionals in managing chronic diseases to ensure better patient care and outcomes.