Rokel Commercial Bank Marks International Women’s Day with Donation to Female Inmates
By Aaron Parker
One of Sierra Leone’s leading financial institutions, Rokel Commercial Bank, on Sunday, 8 March 2026, commemorated International Women’s Day by extending support to female inmates at the Freetown Female Correctional Centre.
As part of its corporate social responsibility and commitment to social inclusion, the bank donated various food items and toiletries to women serving sentences at the facility.
The delegation from the bank included members of senior management and staff. Items presented to the correctional centre comprised bags of rice, sanitary pads, onions, cooking oil, soap, bottled water, toilet rolls, tissues, juices and other essential condiments intended to support the welfare of the inmates.
Receiving the donation, the Deputy Director General of the Sierra Leone Correctional Service, Susan B. Coker, expressed profound appreciation to the bank for what she described as a compassionate gesture.
Speaking emotionally, Coker noted that life within correctional facilities can be challenging for both inmates and staff, but emphasized that the institution remains committed to fulfilling the government’s mandate of rehabilitation.
She explained that the Correctional Service offers various skills training programmes aimed at helping incarcerated women rebuild their lives and become productive members of society after completing their sentences.
Coker also called on Rokel Commercial Bank and other institutions to support advocacy initiatives that educate citizens about the laws of the country.
According to her, some women currently in custody ended up in prison due to ignorance of the law, and increased public awareness could help reduce crime in society. She further disclosed that the facility houses a few infants born to incarcerated mothers, explaining that only babies who are still breastfeeding are allowed to remain with their mothers. Once breastfeeding ends and no relatives are available to care for the children, they are transferred to the Ministry of Social Welfare.
She thanked the bank for complementing the government’s efforts in ensuring the welfare of women in custody and assured that the donated items would be used in the best interest of the inmates.
Speaking on behalf of the bank, the Head of Public Relations, Aruna Dumbuya, conveyed International Women’s Day greetings to the inmates on behalf of the Managing Director, Walton Ekundayo Gilpin, as well as the board, management and staff of the bank.
He encouraged the inmates to remain hopeful and courageous, stressing that no condition is permanent.
Dumbuya further noted that ignorance of the law has contributed to many individuals finding themselves in prison and pledged that the bank would support awareness initiatives to educate citizens about their rights and responsibilities, which could help reduce crime.
He explained that the visit formed part of the bank’s reflection on the 2026 theme “Give to Gain (G2G)”, describing the initiative as a demonstration of solidarity with vulnerable groups and a reminder to the inmates that they are not forgotten.
Other senior management staff, including Brenda Davies, also addressed the inmates, offering words of encouragement and urging them to maintain good behaviour while serving their sentences. She emphasized that the bank’s gesture was motivated by genuine compassion and expressed hope that some of the women might regain their freedom before the end of the year.
Also speaking, the Head of Sim-Kopor, Kezia Salankole, thanked the management of the correctional centre for providing the opportunity for the bank to share love and support with the inmates. She encouraged the women to remain resilient and reflect on how they intend to rebuild their lives after release.
Salankole urged the inmates to take advantage of the skills training opportunities available at the facility so they can become empowered and start afresh upon reintegration into society. She also called on advocacy groups and institutions to intensify public education on the laws of Sierra Leone so citizens can better understand their responsibilities and avoid actions that may lead to imprisonment.
In response, one of the inmates expressed heartfelt appreciation to Rokel Commercial Bank for remembering them during the International Women’s Day celebration. She also appealed to organizations and advocates to continue supporting inmates and promoting access to justice for those who may require legal assistance.
The event concluded on an emotional note as inmates performed songs reflecting their experiences, hopes, and gratitude. Several women also delivered individual messages of appreciation to the Rokel Commercial Bank delegation for their visit and support during the International Women’s Day celebration.
