The commission set up to investigate the questionable judgment debts paid to various individuals and organizations began its public hearings on Wednesday. Last October, President John Mahama swore in Appeals Court Justice Yaw Appau as the Sole Commissioner to investigate the payments which have dominated public discussion with some going so far as to allege official collusion to dupe the state of the huge sums of money. Some legal practitioners have suggested that the commission may not be able to inquire into controversial payments such as the Ghc 51 million given to businessman Alfred Woyome, which is already pending in court. The Committee, which has one year to submit its report to the Presidency, will meet at the Conference Room of the Old Parliament House in Accra, from 10am to 4.00pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. It is charged with the task of ascertaining the causes of any inordinate payments made from public funds in satisfaction of judgment debts since the 1992 Constitution came into force. The Commission will also ascertain the causes of financial losses arising from arbitration awards and negotiated settlements since 1992. The Commission will make recommendations to help ensure that the government does not continue to incur undue financial losses when it does business with private persons or institutions. The Commission is appealing to persons who intend to testify or volunteer information to submit memoranda to the Commission.