Ghanaian poet Wilfred Bormeh, popularly known as Xbabados de Poet, has written a poem celebrating the life, resilience and achievements of legal scholar Clara Beere Kasser Tee, highlighting her journey from humble beginnings to becoming a prominent figure in Ghana’s legal and academic circles.
The poem, according to the author, is intended not only to celebrate Kasser Tee’s accomplishments but also to inspire young people, particularly girls from less privileged backgrounds, to believe in the power of hard work, determination and perseverance.
Kasser Tee was born to teacher parents in Mayoro, a circumstance that meant she moved frequently as her parents were transferred to different schools. She consequently attended institutions including St. John Boscos Day Nursery, Winkogo Primary and Akantome JHS.
Her early years were shaped significantly by her Catholic faith. As a member of the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO), she actively participated in church activities and represented the organisation in Bible quizzes, where she often emerged victorious.
Her academic journey continued at Bolga Girls’ Senior Secondary School, where she served as school prefect and graduated as the overall best student.
She subsequently gained admission to the University of Ghana to study Philosophy with English. Despite marrying at the age of 25, she continued to pursue her academic and professional ambitions.
She later undertook an LLB programme at the University of Ghana before proceeding to the professional law programme at Makola, where she emerged as a Mensah Sarbah awardee and overall best graduating student.
Her passion for academia and law saw her pursue an LLM and eventually teach at both GIMPA and the University of Ghana. She currently serves as a programme coordinator for one of the LLM programmes at the University of Ghana.
Her academic journey reached another significant milestone when she pursued a PhD in Law, becoming the first woman to attain a PhD in Law since the establishment of the University in 1948, according to the account shared by the poet.
Beyond academia, Kasser Tee has held several notable positions, including serving as Chairperson of the Constitutional Review Committee, becoming the first Ghanaian woman to lead such a committee. She has also served as the pioneer Vice President of the Network of Experts for West and Central Africa.
For Xbabados, her story deserves to be told at a time when many young people are searching for shortcuts to success.
He believes Kasser Tee’s journey demonstrates that one’s background should not determine one’s destination and that perseverance, discipline and a commitment to personal development can open doors to remarkable achievements.
Through the poem, Xbabados hopes to “trumpet” her story and encourage young women, in particular, to pursue their ambitions with courage rather than resorting to shortcuts.
Her journey, he argues, offers a powerful reminder that success can be built steadily through education, resilience and determination.
