Rokel Commercial Bank has extended a donation of food items to communities within the Central Business District in Freetown as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility during the holy periods of Ramadan and Lent.

The donation ceremony took place on Saturday, 14th March 2026, and included essential food items such as rice, cooking oil, onions, tomatoes, milk, sugar, and other provisions intended to support both Muslim and Christian community members observing the fasting season.

Delivering the welcome address, Soko Kai Samba of the Marketing Department conveyed greetings on behalf of the management and board of the bank. He explained that the donation followed an appeal made by the community chairman requesting the bank’s support during the sacred periods of Ramadan and Lent. Samba noted that the Managing Director, Dr. Walton Ekundayo Gilpin, had wished to personally attend the event but was unable to do so due to other engagements, emphasizing that the initiative remains very important to him.

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In her statement, the Head of Marketing at Rokel Commercial Bank, Mrs. Michaela Macauley, described the moment as historic for Sierra Leone, noting that both Muslims and Christians are observing their holy periods at the same time in a peaceful atmosphere. She said the bank considered it appropriate to extend support to traders within the Central Business District during this period.

Macauley further stated that while many people often see banks only as institutions that keep money and provide loans, Rokel Commercial Bank is committed to going beyond traditional banking by actively fulfilling its corporate social responsibility. She explained that after the chairman reached out to the bank, the Managing Director, known for his concern for people, quickly ensured that the food items were provided and delivered without delay. She also noted that such donations are not new, as the bank has consistently supported communities over the years.

Also speaking at the event, the bank’s Head of Public Relations, Aruna Dumbuya, extended greetings from the management and board of the bank. He explained that the donation was aimed at strengthening the bank’s relationship with people in the community while fulfilling its corporate social responsibility obligations. According to him, the board and management, with the support of the Managing Director, deemed it necessary to provide assistance at a time when both Christians and Muslims across the country are observing their fasting periods.

Dumbuya added that such gestures help bring blessings to society and encouraged community members to continue seeing Rokel Commercial Bank as their own financial institution.

SME Supervisor Dorinda Malama Thomas also addressed the gathering, noting that the donation serves as a reminder that the bank does not only collect interest on loans but also uses part of those returns to give back to the community. She urged traders to take loan schemes seriously by applying for loans and ensuring they adhere strictly to loan agreements. According to her, adherence to these agreements will encourage the bank to extend more loan opportunities to them. She further revealed that the bank will soon introduce a loan scheme specifically designed to benefit traders within the community.

 

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Chairman, Komba, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Managing Director, board, and management of Rokel Commercial Bank for their continued support. He noted that the bank has consistently responded whenever the community seeks assistance.

He stated that the donation came at the right time during the periods of Ramadan and Lent and assured the bank that the items would be used for their intended purpose, ensuring that both Muslim and Christian community members benefit.

The chairman also appealed to the bank to consider extending loan opportunities to community traders and assured that they would do their best to adhere to loan agreements and correct previous mistakes.