The Commission of Enquiry, which was established by President John Dramani Mahama to enquire into judgment debt payments and other related matters, will begin public sittings next Wednesday. The Commission, created by Constitutional Instrument (CI) 79, has a period of 12 months beginning 8th October, 2012 to submit its report to the Presidency. According to a statement issued by the Commission, the maiden public sitting, which will take place at the Old Parliament House Building in Accra opposite the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, will be transmitted live by the state broadcaster, GTV. The Sole Commissioner of the Commission is His Lordship Justice Yaw Appau, a Justice of the Court of Appeal. Mr. Dometi Kofi Sorkpor will serve as Counsel to the Commission. He will be assisted by Mr. Kwabena Owusu Mensah. Read below the full statement as issued by the Commission PRESS RELEASE JUDGMENT DEBT COMMISSION TO COMMENCE PUBLIC SITTING It is hereby announced for the information of the General Public that the Commission of Inquiry established by His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama to enquire into judgment debt payments and other related matters will from WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 28, 2012 commence its public sittings at the Conference Room of the Old Parliament House Building, Accra, opposite the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum. The first sitting would be broadcast LIVE via GBC Television to the whole nation. The Commission was established by Constitutional Instrument 79 of 2012; i.e. (C.I. 79/2012), which received Gazette notification on 8th October 2012. It has a period of one year (i.e. 12 months) beginning from 8th October 2012 to submit its report to the Presidency. The Public sittings would begin at 10.00 a.m. and close at 4.00 p.m. each day (subject to variation) on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. However, Thursdays and Fridays will be devoted to administrative work. Members of the General Public who wish to testify or volunteer information to the Commission are first to report at the Commission’s office to give their statements. The Commission will then schedule a date for such witnesses to testify or give evidence. The Commission’s Office is opened to the general public from Monday to Friday of every week – from 9.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. All those who intend to testify or volunteer information but are unable to be present in person are requested to submit memoranda to the Commission. Such memoranda shall be treated confidential. All correspondence must be addressed to; The Sole-Commissioner, Commission on Judgment debts, Old Parliament House, c/o P. O. Box 119, Accra. Such correspondence should be submitted personally to the Secretary to the Commissioner at the Old Parliament House or posted by EMS to the Sole-Commissioner per the above address. It could also be sent via e-mail to juyaplaw@gmail.com. The Commission shall soon establish an official website and when that is done, the Public will be informed accordingly. The Terms of Reference (TOR) of the Commission are: - a) To ascertain the causes of any inordinate payments made from public funds in satisfaction of judgment debts since the 1992 Constitution came into force; b) To ascertain the causes of any inordinate payments from public funds and financial losses arising from arbitration awards, negotiated settlements and akin processes since the 1992 Constitution came into force; and c) To make recommendations to the Government for ensuring that, as far as practicable i.The instances where public funds are utilized to make payments in satisfaction of judgment debts and public debts arising from akin processes are limited; ii.Government does not incur undue financial losses when it does business with private persons or institutions. The Commission wishes to assure all persons who may testify or assist the Commission in its work that their safety is guaranteed. The Sole-Commissioner of the Commission is His Lordship Justice Yaw Appau, a Justice of the Court of Appeal. The Commission has Mr. Dometi Kofi Sorkpor as Counsel to the Commission. He will be assisted by Mr. Kwabena Owusu Mensah. The GENERAL PUBLIC is cordially invited. *Issued by the Public Relations Office of the Commission this 22nd Day of November, 2012.