Takoradi, Jan.5 - GNA - A survey conducted by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in November last year, revealed that 67.5 per cent of households use salt with adequate levels of iodine in the Western Region. Mr Winfred Wunu, Western Regional Nutrition Officer, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview in Takoradi on Thursday that. He said the survey was conducted in 18 rural communities and 12 urban communities.

Mr Wunu said a similar survey conducted in 2003 revealed that 53.2 per cent of households were using iodised salt in the region. He said the 2005 survey showed that 37.2 percent of households stored iodised salt in containers properly covered to prevent the evaporation of iodine.

Mr Wunu said salt traders who sell non-iodised salt stand the risk of being prosecuted under the law, which requires salt meant for human consumption to be iodised.

He said the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has provided equipment and re-agent to the Environmental Health Departments of the Shama-Ahanta East Metropolitan Assembly and the Wassa West District Assembly to iodise salt in markets in their areas. Mr Wunu said the project would be extended to other districts in the region.

He called on the district assemblies to regularly ensure that salt sold at markets in their areas are iodised. Mr Wunu said the goal is to achieve Universal Salt Iodisation in Ghana and 90 percent household consumption.