Isha Johansen visits Women’s Correctional Centre ahead of upcoming events and increased international interests

Freetown | 8th November 2023 | Vertex Media

FIFA Council Madam Isha Johansen and leading household Sierra Leone fashion designer names paid a surprise visit to the Women’s Correctional Centre in Freetown to thank the inmates for their dedicated efforts in producing and working with Fashion For Change to produce some very stunning outfits as Sierra Leone made its groundbreaking debut at the prestigious 2023 London Fashion week this year.

Johansen, the founder and brain behind the initiative which started off as Football for Reform, using Football as a tool for social change, solicited the help of society fashion designers Jenneh Amara Bengali, Frederica Williams, Pa Musa Senessie and Hannah Fullah to use Fashion as an empowerment tool for change and rehabilitation.

The Correctional Centre is fast becoming a topic of convert and interest as an increasing number of globally reknown organisations are expressing keen interest in supporting or collaborating with the Correctional Centre on diverse areas of skills, and learning.

Recently, FIFA supported the centre with the building of a tailoring workshop. CAF has pledged to offer coaching coaches, and Brussels Airlines Foundation has just added another five sewing machines to the already five donated a few months ago.

Johansen who is a key motivational force behind the young women, securing the release of five female inmates on UN Women’s Day this year, and international corporate partnerships for the centre, made a vow to the young women today that she would ensure that everyone of them is given an opportunity to be reformed citizen who adds value to her country and not one that should be hidden away from society.

“You now have an opportunity and a platform to not just dream, but to live your dream and be a valuable citizen of this country.”
Isha Johansen – Founder of Football For Reform & Fashion for Change

Madam Jenneh Amara Bangali of Swank Couture and other designers including Pa Musa Senesie of Pa Musa Designs and Ms Frederica Williams of Just Fabulous designs were at the centre to boost the morale of the young women.

Acting Director General of the Correctional Centre Colonel Shiek Sulaiman Massaquoi applauded Johansen’s tireless dedicated service to the Centre and assured the delegation of his continued support at all times.