Attorney General & Isha Johansen Collaborate on Prison Reform and Women’s Empowerment

March 2026, Sierra Leone’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay Esq., hosted Isha Johansen for a focused discussion on improving correctional services and expanding opportunities for women in custody. Johansen, who has previously served as President of the Sierra Leone Football Association, a FIFA Council member, a member of the CAF Executive Committee, and a member of the FIFA Foundation Board, has been actively involved in efforts to improve conditions at Freetown’s female correctional facility.
The meeting focused on practical, innovative programs that support rehabilitation and social reintegration. Johansen described initiatives such as Football for Reform and Fashion for Change, which aim to provide inmates with vocational training, psychosocial support, and constructive activities that foster confidence and employability skills. These projects aim to supplement formal rehabilitation programs and reduce recidivism by preparing women for productive roles after release.
Attorney General Sesay emphasised the importance of a strong legal framework and coordinated policy action in protecting vulnerable women and improving correctional services. He emphasised that long-term reform will necessitate collaboration among government agencies, civil society, and international stakeholders to provide legal protections, health and rehabilitation services, and capacity building in prisons.
Ms Johansen praised the Attorney General’s leadership in justice-sector reform and pledged to continue working with the Attorney General’s Office to advance these initiatives. Both parties agreed to pursue collaborative, evidence-based approaches that combine legal reform with practical interventions to improve conditions and opportunities for women in Sierra Leone’s correctional system.