The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) is intensifying efforts to curb rising cases of hypertension and other non-communicable diseases through a citywide campaign focused on reducing excessive salt intake.

As part of this initiative, the KMA, with support from the Partnership for Healthy Cities, has engaged residents of Moshi Zongo in the Manhyia North Sub-Metropolis.

The community durbar brought together a diverse group including food vendors, restaurant operators, caterers, health professionals, regulatory bodies like the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), assembly members, and traditional leaders.

The engagement served as an interactive platform to educate participants on the dangers of excessive salt consumption in both commercial food preparation and home cooking.

Various KMA departmental heads took the opportunity to explain their mandates and ongoing projects to the community. Officials from the Transport, Environmental Health and Sanitation, Social Welfare, and Works Departments highlighted interventions aimed at improving public health, sanitation, road safety, social protection, and infrastructure.

Residents were able to ask questions and gain a better understanding of how the Assembly’s work impacts their daily lives.

Speaking at the event, Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi, stressed that excessive salt consumption is a major contributor to hypertension, diabetes, and other life-threatening non-communicable diseases. “These conditions have become some of the leading causes of death in recent times, largely driven by unhealthy lifestyles and poor dietary habits,” he stated.

He urged residents, especially food vendors and caterers, to be mindful of the amount of salt used in their cooking and to adopt healthier practices. “Reducing salt intake requires collective responsibility from individuals, families, food service operators, and institutions. Small changes in our daily habits can significantly improve health outcomes,” Mr. Boadi emphasised.

Ms Zeinab Acheampong of the FDA explained that the open display of salt at food joints encourages overconsumption and poses serious health risks to patrons. “This practice makes it easy for people to add more salt than they need to their food,” she said.

The KMA plans to extend this awareness campaign to other communities within the Kumasi Metropolis, aiming for a healthier population through informed dietary choices.

Image Source: MYJOYONLINE