LAB appoint new Paralegal for children

The Legal Aid Board has announced that Edmond Pratt will serve as the Paralegal responsible for juveniles in the meantime. This follows the suspension of Child Advocate Ibrahim Kallon on half-pay because of a matter brought against him by the Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs, Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden. Kallon is presently standing trial answering to charges of Threatening Language, Insulting Conduct and Defamatory Libel.

The Executive Director of the Legal Aid Board, Ms. Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles has told a cross section of the national executive of the Children’s Forum Network (CFN) that the Board will stand with them as they go through the most divisive period in the history of the organization.

‘We were there to protect the rights of two of your members who were taken to the New England Police Station on Friday, 27 January 2017 by the Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs,’ she said. ‘The Board will continue to protect you wherever you are because we now have Paralegals in all the fourteen districts in the country.’

Edmond Pratt is no stranger to youth activism. He is one of the finest in the field.  He is a founder member of the Youth Forum Network which he served as National Coordinator for eight years. He was also National Coordinator for the Kids Advocacy Network for two years, which saw him travel the length and breadth of Sierra Leone.  He is one of the pioneers for the establishment of the Children’s Commission and the Child Rights Act 2007.

Edmond is an Associate members of the Children’s Forum Network and the Public Relations Officer for the Western Area Youth Council. He is the recipient of the Outstanding Youth Advocate Award for 2015 from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and the National Youth Led Award. 

Edmond is expected to bring a lot of energy into his new role. ‘I am happy to step in especially at a time when the relationship between the children and the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs is in bad shape,’ Edmond said.  ‘We will continue to provide leadership in protecting the rights of children around the country.’