Fashion For Change – trailblazers converged in Freetown to raise funds for female inmates

Freetown | 27 September 2022 | Vertex Media

Freetown experienced a glamorous fashion runway event on the sunset of Saturday at the Bintumani Conference Centre – many witnessing for the first time, a glittering eventful night, occasioned specifically to celebrate arts & beauty, and to raise funds for female inmates in Freetown.

This joint fashion and fundraising event was born out of the passion and humanitarian venture of Fifa Council Member Madam Isha Johansen and Fifa Secretary General Madam Fatma Samoura, following a visit to the Female Correctional Centre in Freetown in 2021, where they were stunned by the incredible and passionate stories of female inmates. The two global female football administrators felt the need to support those inmates with skills training and legal representation. In so doing, Madam Samoura and Madam Johansen inspired the construction of a training institute at the Female Correctional Centre (Special Court Compound), with an initial $5,000 fund.

The said training center now nears completion, with doors and windows fittings, and interior furnishings to be done. It is the intention of Madam Johansen and Madam Samoura to fully equip this training facility.

The Fashion For Change event was an initiative meant to continue to provide support to the inmates. Funds being raised will go directly to support them in skills training and legal representation, for those who need it. This adventure brought together many influential people from across Sierra Leone and beyond, in raising funds and awareness about the welfare and future of female inmates in Sierra Leone.

They include: Isha Johansen – Fifa Council Member and Former SLFA President, Gelson Fernandes – Director of Fifa Members Association for Africa, Ama Brobey Williams – Head of Women’s Football, Ghana Football Association, Lisa Chesney – British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Cinzia Miotto – Assistant to Fifa Secretary General, Carol Tshabalala – South Africa’s leading Presenter, MC and Producer, Thomas Daddy Brima – SLFA President and his Executive Committee Members, Chair of Mano River Union in Sierra Leone, and several other top personalities from the corporate, entertainment, sporting and media sectors.

Fifa Secretary General Madam Fatma Samoura and owner of Senegal’s biggest fashion house Mr. Mamadou Fall couldn’t travel to Sierra Leone as earlier expected, due to a spontaneous aviation strike in Senegal on the eve of the event. Mamadou Fall was set to present sewing machines to the Female Correctional Centre, plus a trainer to train the women on tailoring skills.

However, the Fifa delegation, inclusive of Madam Johansen, Fernandes, Cinzia and Ama, visited the Female Correctional Centre in Freetown on Saturday afternoon, to interact and get to know their plights. This visit was facilitated by officials of the Correctional Centre, especially Colonel Ngauja – Deputy Director of Prisons and others. The inmates together with the officials of the Centre gave a resounding welcome to the visitors, who in turn empathized with their predicaments and gave their support.

Madam Isha Johansen donated $400 and also promised to pay for a 19-year old inmate who was imprisoned to 3 years for stealing a sum of about $600 to pay her university fees.

Gelson Fernandes supported the Centre with $1,000 and promised to provide the female inmates with clothing.

Ama Brobey Williams also supported the inmates with $1,000, while receiving a gift from the Centre.

**Ama Brobey Williams, Head of Women’s Football Development, Ghana Football Association**

**Ama Brobey Williams at the Fashion For Change gala in Freetown**

Ama, who is the Head of Ghana Women’s Football Development jetted in Sierra Leone to support her West African sister (Madam Johansen) on the fundraising fashion event and to also share knowledge on women’s football development with her Sierra Leone FA counterparts.

***Assistant to Fifa Secretary General Cinzia Miotto, flanked by Ramatulai Kamara SLFA Executive Committee Member and Ama Brobey Williams, Head of Women’s Football GFA***

On behalf of the Fifa Secretary General, Cinzia Miotto presented six match balls and sets of playing jerseys to the Female Correctional Centre, among other gifts.

In the drive to attract more awareness about the predicaments of female inmates in Sierra Leone, Madam Johansen decided to use football and fashion to effect change (Breaking The Shackles) for female prisoners. She therefore put together some of Sierra Leone’s finest models like Zainab Sheriff, Stella Bangura, Aminata Adialin Bangura, etc, and top Fashion houses like Swank Couture, The Pa Musa and SHEPOR, in a the biggest fashion runway event ever hosted in Sierra Leone.

South Africa’s leading radio and TV Presenter, MC and Producer – Carol Tshabalala flew into Freetown for the first time as the official host of the incredible fashion runway event. Her passion for humanity cannot be overemphasized, as she decided to support the drive by Isha Johansen, to raise funds for female inmates in Freetown.

Carol was also partnered with a Sierra Leonean Female Lawyer, MC and Radio Presenter Nicky Spencer-Coker as a co-host of the Fashion For Change show. The two female MCs thrilled the audience with stellar performances, making the event a memorable one.

Handmade (bead) bags by the female inmates were also displayed for sale to the public. Proceeds would go to the various designers, which will form part of their earnings while running their gail term.

By Ibrahim Sorious Samura