By Ishmael Sallieu Koroma
In celebration of International Women’s Day, Ecobank Sierra Leone Ltd. has donated food items to female inmates at the Female Correctional Centre in Freetown. The donation took place on March 21st and included essential items such as cooking oil, gari, cartons of sachet milk, and bags of onions, among other goods.
During the handover ceremony, Berthan Lamin Bangura, Program Manager at Prison Watch, praised Ecobank for their thoughtful gesture. He noted that the bank’s support for female inmates reflects its commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and philanthropy across the country. “We at Prison Watch have also adopted a policy encouraging our staff to open accounts with the Pan African bank,” he added.
Sheikh Omaru Jalloh, Ecobank’s Head of Brand, Communications, and Marketing, highlighted the bank’s ongoing commitment to empowering women, both in and out of correctional facilities. “Sixty percent of our workforce are women. Ecobank is dedicated to supporting women in every sector, including those in correctional facilities,” Jalloh stated.
Samuella Daisy Tamba, the Relationship Manager, emphasized that the bank’s celebration of International Women’s Day extends throughout the month of March, not just on the designated day. “This is part of our efforts to accelerate action for women in Sierra Leone,” she said.
Legal Officer at Ecobank, Mariama Ruth Jacinta Jaycid-Sankoh, on her part underscored the importance of this year’s IWD theme, “Accelerate Action: Advancing Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment.”
She however stressed that true empowerment must extend to all women, including female inmates.
“How can we truly celebrate gender equality if we don’t reach out to women in prisons? Every woman deserves support and a second chance,” she remarked.
Augusta T. S. Williams, Commanding Officer of the Female Correctional Centre, expressed her gratitude for the donation, reassuring Ecobank that the food items would be used to benefit the inmates. “These upcoming holidays, including Easter and Good Friday, will be even more special as these items will be part of our meals,” she assured the inmates.
Williams also shared that many inmates at the facility are engaged in vocational and skills training programs, which have helped them raise funds and support their families outside of prison. “We ensure that inmates stay productive, as an idle mind can be harmful. These programs equip them with skills that will make them valuable members of society upon their release,” she added.
Inmates at the correctional centre also expressed their heartfelt thanks to Ecobank, Prison Watch, and the correctional facility for their support. They praised the bank’s generosity in remembering them and bringing joy to their lives.
Ecobank’s IWD celebrations began on March 7th with an all-female business exhibition showcasing female entrepreneurs. On March 14th, the bank donated over 50 packs of sanitary and hygiene materials to female patients at the country’s Psychiatric Teaching Hospital in Kissy, East Freetown.
At Friday’s donation event, the inmates sang songs of appreciation, expressing their gratitude to the staff of Ecobankfor their thoughtful contribution.
