Clara Kowlaga Beeri Kasser-Tee: Shaping Business Through Purpose-Driven Law and Education

Table of Contents

Early Life and Influences

Growing up as the firstborn in a family where both parents were dedicated teachers, Clara Kowlaga Beeri Kasser-Tee was exposed to a sense of responsibility early on. Her upbringing on a rural campus provided her with a unique perspective on systemic issues, which sparked an early interest in advocacy. While she initially leaned toward journalism, she was encouraged to consider law as a more impactful path for advancing human rights. However, at the time, this idea remained abstract.

Her passion for advocacy led her to international relations, and during her national service, she worked with farmers, championing fair trade and support. After moving to Accra, she met peers in the legal field who inspired her to reconsider her path. This encouragement eventually led her to pursue law, even though her entry into the profession was unplanned. She took the entrance exam on short notice and was accepted, discovering a genuine passion for the profession along the way.

Educational Journey and Career Path

Law in Ghana requires a prior degree, so Clara began with English and Philosophy at the University of Ghana. After completing her national service, she transitioned into legal studies and enrolled in the LLB programme. Balancing academics, debating, and competitive basketball from a young age, she believed she could handle anything, including starting a family while studying Law.

However, motherhood introduced a completely different level of responsibility, and she had to navigate her journey with grit and resilience. After launching her legal career, she took on a teaching assistant role, which helped her discover her passion for education. To align both interests, she opened her own practice and later committed to academia full-time, where she now lectures at the University of Ghana School of Law.

In 2020, she became the first female lecturer of Northern descent at the School of Law, University of Ghana, a humbling realization. She continues to teach and practise Law, finding that each enhances the other and deepens her professional and personal fulfillment.

Professional Specializations and Contributions

Clara’s expertise lies in advising corporate entities, particularly in transaction structuring and cross-border matters. Starting in corporate law, she was drawn to human rights work, which led her to civil society. She was privileged to chair Ghana’s constitutional review consultative process, making her the first woman to do so in the country’s democratic era.

She also represents Ghana on the IOM-UN-led legal migration network for West and Central Africa, where she serves as a Vice President. Drawing from her experience in both legal practice and academia, she often reminds students of the real-world complexities that differ from textbook law. Much of her legal work has involved advising and representing individual and corporate clients, but the most rewarding experiences have come from representing individuals and making a direct, personal impact.

Her corporate practice spans merges and acquisitions, corporate finance, tax structuring, and general advisory. She has represented a range of national and multinational firms and supported public sector reform. She has also led a capacity needs assessment for 10 state institutions, resulting in a model service charter, and contributed to institutional framework development in Sierra Leone under a World Bank project.

Challenges and Navigating the Legal Landscape

One of the most challenging aspects of being a legal practitioner in Ghana is the need for faster reform, although change takes time. Encouragingly, many are aligned in the desire for progress. In Ghana’s legal space, shaped by colonial, customary, and cultural influences, the real challenges lie in harmonizing conflicting values while maintaining balance and respect for all systems.

Managing the intersection of colonial legacy, cultural pride, and traditional values is complex, requiring careful navigation when driving change. On the positive side, there is strong enthusiasm and a genuine desire for progress. People are motivated and open to learning, but the legal education system still faces gaps in emerging skills demands. These gaps are not insurmountable, but they require focused effort and strategic investment to overcome them.

Leadership Philosophy and Success Mantra

Clara’s leadership philosophy is rooted in system thinking and institutional integrity, but never at the expense of individual rights. She believes real progress stems from values-driven decisions that uplift both individuals and the collective good. Her approach to human rights is rooted in the belief that individual rights must be prioritized. While collective values play a role in maintaining social cohesion, genuine advocacy is driven by personal conviction, empathy, and a deep respect for individual autonomy.

She is willing to take initiative rather than waiting for ideal conditions. She works with what is available, allowing systems and support to align as the work progresses, anchored in conviction, faith, and a people-centric mindset. While she recognizes that not every initiative will unfold smoothly, she leads with conviction and does everything possible, bringing others along as collaborators. She begins with purpose and commitment, driving with heart, passion, and clarity.

Future of Ghana’s Legal Advisory Landscape

Looking ahead, Clara aims to drive greater accessibility to legal studies and encourage deeper specialisation to strengthen the future of legal practice in Ghana. The expansion of postgraduate programmes at the University of Ghana is commendable. However, broader reforms are needed to offer specialised and skills-based legal education. Beyond practical exposure, clinical education cultivates public interest lawyering and instils values like civic engagement and patriotism among students.

She envisions growth across all tiers of legal education, equipping industry and raising legal awareness nationwide. She also advocates for the development of short, industry-relevant courses to ensure that legal literacy becomes accessible to the wider population. Her goal is to continue partnering with policy-makers and duty bearers to broaden access and diversify pathways within legal education through informed public policy.