In a move that has sparked intense debate, President John Mahama has appointed Francis Xavier Sosu, MP for Madina, Clara Beeri Kasser-Tee, a lecturer at the University of Ghana School of Law, and Dr. Abdul-Bassit Ariz Bamba, his personal lawyer and a senior lecturer at the University of Ghana, to the General Legal Council.
The nominations, which were announced on February 28, 2025, has been met with criticism, particularly from those who accuse Clara Beeri-Kasser-Tee of being a staunch critic of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s administration.
According to a statement from the Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice, the nominations were made in accordance with Section 1(2) of the Legal Profession Act, 1960, and Paragraph 2(0) (d) of the First Schedule to the said Act.
However, critics argue that Clara Beeri-Kasser-Tee’s appointment is a reward for her constant criticism of the Akufo-Addo administration, rather than a genuine recognition of her expertise.
One critic, who wrote an open letter to Clara Beeri-Kasser-Tee, accused her of “insulting her way” to the appointment. The critic claimed that Beeri-Kasser-Tee’s constant attacks on Akufo-Addo’s administration were motivated by a desire to get noticed and rewarded by the Mahama administration.
The critic also questioned Beeri-Kasser-Tee’s ability to contribute meaningfully to the General Legal Council, the body regulating the law profession in the country, describing her as someone who lacks the necessary expertise and temperament for the role.
The controversy surrounding Clara Beeri-Kasser-Tee’s appointment has raised questions about the criteria used to select members of the General Legal Council.
While the Council is responsible for regulating the legal profession in Ghana, its membership has often been criticized for being overly politicized.
President Mahama’s decision to appoint Clara Beeri-Kasser-Tee to the General Legal Council has also sparked debate about the role of politics in the selection of members to key institutions.
While some argue that Beeri-Kasser-Tee’s appointment is a reward for her loyalty to the Mahama administration, others see it as an opportunity for her to bring her expertise to bear on the Council’s work.
-BY Issah Olegor
