Category: Daily Guide Network

The Supreme Court has by a unanimous decision suspended the rerun of the Kpandai constituency parliamentary election pending the determination of an application filed by Matthew Nyindam challenging the decision of a High Court in Tamale which ordered the rerun.

This, according to the court is to ensure that the court is not overreached by the rerun pending the application which discloses prima facie.

Meanwhile, the court has granted an application by lawyers for Nyindam to serve the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate of the constituency, Daniel Nsala Wakpal through substituted service.

Gary Nimako Marfo, counsel for Mathew Nyindam told the court that all efforts to serve Mr. Wakpal with the motion for certiorari and motion to suspend the orders of the High Court have proved futile.

A 5-member panel of the court presided over by Justice Gabriel Pwamang and assisted by Justices Omoro Tanko, Yonny Kulendi, Samuel Asiedu, Henry Anthony Kwofie granted the application and ordered that the motions be served on Wakpal through a digital address provided to the court.

The motion papers are also to be posted on the notice board of the High Court in Tamale and that of the District Court in Kpandai.

The applicant is also to serve Mr. Wakpal via WhatsApp through a mobile phone number provided by counsel for Mr. Nyindam.

The postings are to remain for seven days after which Wakpal would be deemed served.

Zenith Bank Ghana has been named Bank of the Year – Ghana at the 2025 edition of The Banker Awards in London, increasing its tally to six and making the institution one of the most consistently decorated banks in the country.

The recognition, awarded by The Banker magazine of the Financial Times Group, comes at a significant and symbolic moment for the Bank as it celebrates its twentieth year of operations in Ghana.

The award, regarded as one of the industry’s most closely scrutinised honours, evaluates banks based on a battery of performance indicators: capital strength, asset quality, earnings resilience, cost efficiency, technological prowess, and a demonstrated capacity to innovate in an evolving regulatory and economic environment.

Zenith Bank Ghana was adjudged to have shown a combination of balance sheet stability, prudent risk management, and sustained investment in technology-driven banking infrastructure.

The panel noted the Bank’s strong position in capital, sustained profitability, and measured expansion of digital channels as areas where the institution has maintained a steady trajectory despite the challenges that have confronted the financial sector in recent years. According to the panel, the Bank’s performance reflected a clear strategy that emphasises operational excellence and improved service architecture.

A key factor was the Bank’s recapitalisation programme in September 2024, when it increased its stated capital from the regulatory minimum of GHS400 million to GHS1 billion. By financing the increase entirely from retained earnings, rather than seeking external equity, the Bank preserved shareholder value while reinforcing confidence in its long-term objectives.

The committee added that the recapitalisation not only improved the Bank’s competitive position but also strengthened confidence among investors and customers.

It further enabled Zenith Bank Ghana to maintain and deepen its strategic partnerships with Development Bank Ghana (DBG), the African Guarantee Fund (AGF) and the Mastercard Foundation’s Bridge-in Agriculture programme. Under the latter initiative, launched in May 2025, the Bank disbursed GHS22.2 million, in its first month, to businesses in the agriculture and related services, an area the organisers described as ‘central to Ghana’s development priorities.’

The Bank’s technology investments were also a key determinant in the assessment. Data reviewed by the committee showed that Zenith’s adoption of the Calypso platform has significantly enhanced its treasury and risk operations.

The platform’s real-time analytics and automation capabilities have contributed to a significant reduction in operational errors and an improvement in transaction processing speed-clear indicators of strategic investment in infrastructure that supports long-term resilience.

The committee also cited the launch of Z-Transfer, a bulk payment platform offering secure, scalable real-time transactions for high-volume clients, as further evidence of the Bank’s commitment to operational efficiency and service excellence.

For Zenith Bank Ghana, this year’s award caps a successful anniversary on the theme ’20 Years of Impact, a Lifetime of Shared Growth.’ The Bank’s leadership has described the milestone as both an opportunity for reflection and testament to institutional resilience in a sector that has undergone extensive reforms and consolidation over the past decade.

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, (MD/CEO) Henry Onwuzurigbo, described the award as a collective achievement and a confirmation of the Bank’s strategic focus. ‘At twenty years, this recognition is a reminder of the work that has gone into building a stable and trusted institution,’ he said. ‘It reflects the dedication of our staff, the confidence of our customers, and the support of our regulators and shareholders. We see it not as an end in itself, but as an encouragement to sustain the standards we have set,’ he added.

Under Mr. Onwuzurigbo’s leadership, the Bank has improved its commitment to service excellence by enhancing internal systems, reinforcing risk controls, and expanding its digital footprint to deliver a seamless, customer-first experience. These shifts have been framed as part of a broader effort to reinforce the Bank’s long-term resilience while responding to evolving customer needs and increasing regulatory expectations.

Zenith Bank Ghana’s sixth victory at The Banker Awards builds on previous wins in 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2024. While awards are not the sole measure of a bank’s standing, the consistency with which Zenith Bank Ghana has appeared in the rankings underscores its place among the more stable institutions in Ghana’s financial landscape.

‘As we look ahead to our next decade, our focus remains on strengthening the foundations that make sustainable banking possible,’ Mr. Onwuzurigbo said.

‘This recognition is not a signal to slow down, but a reminder that consistency is earned year after year. Our commitment is to deepen our investment in technology and strengthen our governance framework while continuing to support the sectors vital to Ghana’s economic future,’ he further noted.

School for Life (SfL), as part of the Citizen-Led Actions for Educational Accountability and Responsiveness in Ghana (CLEAR) Project, has organised a national stakeholder’s convening on the state of public basic education and social inclusion in basic education in Tamale, the Northern region.

The CLEAR project is implemented by School for Life and its consortium partners and funded by the Global Partnership for Education.

The event, held under the themes; ‘Promoting Equitable Basic Education in Ghana’s Resetting Agenda’ and ‘Building Inclusive Societies through Education; the role of national and sub-national actors’ highlighted the progress made in Ghana’s basic education and social inclusion programming especially in Northern Ghana.

It also highlighted key gaps in government programmes and interventions to enhance quality learning outcomes and inclusive development processes.

The convening brought together practitioners from civil society, citizen groups, students, young people, government agencies, academia, donor agencies and other development partners, and the media to engender positive discourse and inspire critical reflections aimed at promoting equitable quality education delivery and enhancing the quality of wellbeing of marginalised people in the country.

Addressing participants, Director of School for Life, Wedad Sayibu, said education remains a cornerstone of Ghana’s social and economic transformation agenda and that foundational weaknesses threaten sustainable progress.

‘Major studies, including the MoE’s Sector Performance Report (ESPR) of basic education financing, reveal chronic underinvestment in early childhood and primary education where learning deficits begin.

Thousands of KG and primary pupils still learn in dilapidated structures, and multi-grade teaching remains widespread due to teacher shortages, particularly in deprived districts. These constraints directly affect learning levels, contributing to Ghana’s high learning poverty indicators as noted in a recent World Bank finding,’ she revealed

According to her, for the last thirty years, School for Life and partners have worked to expand access to quality basic education for children in underserved communities, particularly in Northern Ghana.

‘From our early work in Complementary Basic Education (CBE) through which we have helped thousands of Out-of-School Children (OOSC) to become literate in their mother tongue, to our continuous advocacy for inclusive education systems, School for Life has remained a trusted and credible Civil Society Organisation championing the rights of children, communities, and schools. Our work has transformed lives, empowered families, and contributed to national policy reforms that are still shaping Ghana’s education landscape today,’ she said

She disclosed than so far, over 456,500 children have passed through their CBE programme, some of whom have proceeded to the highest ladder in academia.

‘Through the Citizen-led Educational Accountability and Responsiveness in Ghana (CLEAR) Project, citizens across several regions are teaming up to demand accountability in the education sector. We have constantly witnessed community members, parents, school management committees, youth groups, and local leaders take ownership of the education agenda, asking the right questions, and committing themselves to positive change. This is what the convening seeks to promote; active citizenship, informed advocacy, and a shared responsibility for improving learning outcomes,’ she noted

The Director of School for Life, commended the government through the Ministry of Education led by Haruna Iddrisu for demonstrating commitment to ensuring that foundational and basic learning is given priority.

‘Uncapping the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) means that more resources is freed to support education programmes. Through the 2026 budget, we have seen some funding allocation to areas such as desk production, accommodation for teachers in rural areas and classroom infrastructure. This will go a long way to mitigate the challenges faced by the basic education sub-sector. We would, however, like to entreat the Minister for Education to pay particular attention to the budgetary allocation to the complementary education programming and to humbly urge him to use his high office to ensure that the CBE programme is given some critical support,’ she stated

School for Life (SfL) called for a national action to make GESI a School Governance priority, not an afterthought , invest in accessibility and dignity-enhancing school infrastructure, transform teaching workforce through sustained training in inclusive pedagogies, mobilize communities as co-guardians of children wellbeing and futures, and fix data and financing gaps.

The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, addressing participants indicated that his focus at the ministry of education is to strengthen foundational learning.

‘My focus at the Ministry is to strengthen foundational learning which holds the key to the success of secondary education. We must increase investment and the support for basic education,’ he said

He revealed that Ghana currently has about 5,000 schools under trees.

‘Ghana still has about 5,000 schools under trees which is unacceptable and the disparity between the North and the South is widening as well as urban and rural areas which is troubling and so I am happy to work with School for Life and other CSOs,’ the Minister noted

‘We are reviewing the curriculum currently and I intend to introduce three significant things to foundational learning which are financial literacy skills, ethical integrity, electronics, artificial intelligence, coding, robotics,’ he revealed.

‘To promote inclusive quality education, we are increasing official Ghanaian languages taught in schools from 9 to 13 including sign language,’ Mr. Iddrisu stated.

OVER thousands of Ghanaians from all walks of lives converged at the Accra International Conference Centre last Saturday for this year’s MTN Ghana’s Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols under the theme ‘The Heart of Christmas.’

As anticipation built to witness performances from Ghana’s leading acts billed for the concert, the atmosphere shifted gently as the MTN Viva Voices filled the hall with rich harmonies, setting the tone to welcome the acts.

The spiritual tone was further elevated as gospel powerhouse Joe Mettle ministered in song, leading the audience into moments of worship and reflection.

The evening sparkled with musical performances from Kuami Eugene, whose melodies brought youthful energy to the celebration, and Kofi Kinaata, who closed the night with an uplifting performance that left the audience smiling and reflective.

The evening unfolded with the First Lesson, read from Genesis 3:8-15 by Franklin Sowah, Director, Marketing and Sales of Graphic Communications, drawing the audience into humanity’s earliest encounter with hope and redemption.

Charles Nortey Oquaye followed with the Second Lesson from Genesis 22:15-18, echoing God’s enduring promise and covenant with His people.

Reading Isaiah 11:1-9, his voice carried a message of peace, justice, and the coming of the Messiah-met with warm applause from the audience.

Adding colour and movement to the scriptures, Dance With a Purpose (DWP) took the stage with a captivating theatrical performance, translating the Christmas story into expressive choreography that resonated deeply with the audience.

The Fourth Lesson, from Luke 1:26-35, 38, was read by the CEO of Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, Sylvia Owusu Ankomah, recounting the angel’s message to Mary.

The journey through scripture continued with ASP Effia Tenge (Rtd.), who delivered the Fifth Lesson from Isaiah 9:2-7, proclaiming the birth of the Prince of Peace.

The Sixth Lesson, Luke 2:1-7, was read by Odaifio Welentsi III, Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Council and President of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, whose regal presence added solemnity to the nativity account.

The Seventh Lesson, Matthew 2:1-12, was read by Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum, recounting the journey of the wise men.

Media personality, Anita Akua Akuffo, delivered the Eighth Lesson from Luke 2:8-16, vividly retelling the shepherds’ encounter with the angels, while the Head of Sales at Labadi Beach Hotel, George Ayisi, concluded the readings with the Ninth Lesson from John 1:1-14, reminding all of the Word made flesh.

MTN Ghana Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Blewett, expressed gratitude to customers, partners, employees, and stakeholders for their loyalty and trust, describing them as the heartbeat of the company. He reaffirmed MTN’s commitment to shared value, environmental responsibility, and innovation, highlighting the recent introduction of Ghana’s first biodegradable SIM card as a step toward reducing plastic waste.

Dancehall act, Shatta Wale, has dismissed claims suggesting he is involved in fraudulent activities, describing them as false and unfounded.

The award-winning artist addressed the issue during his performance at the BYK Concert held at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday. Midway through his set, Shatta Wale took a moment to address the allegations circulating widely on social media.

While performing his song ‘Prove You Wrong,’ he emphatically stated that his achievements are the result of dedication and years of hard work in music, not illegal ventures. ‘Me, Shatta Wale, I don’t do fraud. I don’t do anything illegal,’ he told the crowd, adding that he stood before God to denounce anyone spreading such claims.

The musician explained that the message in ‘Prove You Wrong’ reflects his resolve to overcome criticism and false narratives that have followed his career. According to him, the song serves as a direct response to those questioning the source of his success.

Shatta Wale’s remarks come at a time when public attention has been heightened by recent arrests involving alleged online fraud and romance scams by the FBI and Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). These developments have fuelled speculation online, with some users attempting to link the artist to the cases.

However, Shatta Wale maintained that he has no connection to any fraudulent activity, urging the public to separate rumours from facts.

On December 5, 2025, CLUB Lager brought together football fans, dignitaries and members of the media for a colourful evening at the Polo Beach Club, where it hosted the official 2026 FIFA World Cup Final Draw.

The event marked a significant moment for both Ghana and the brand, as CLUB Lager was formally unveiled as the Official Beer of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Ghana, reinforcing its long-standing association with football and national celebration.

The ceremony drew high-profile representation from the Ghana Football Association, the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, and leading figures in the sports media, alongside enthusiastic supporters who gathered to witness the historic draw and celebrate Ghana’s qualification for the global showpiece.

The venue buzzed with excitement throughout the night as guests soaked in the festive atmosphere and shared optimism about the Black Stars’ upcoming World Cup campaign. Fans participated in a range of football-themed activities, including mini goalpost challenges, with exclusive CLUB Lager merchandise on offer, while interactive engagement zones heightened anticipation for the tournament.

A former member of the board of governors of Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), Yaw Odame-Darkwa, made a startling admission in court yesterday that some of the issues contained in his witness statement in the trial of former Chief Executive Officer and Board Chairman of the Fund, were based on his recollection of events and not based on company documents.

The witness had indicated in his evidence-in-chief that the Investment Committee (IC) did not recommend the Accra Sky Train project to the board and that the issue came up at only meeting of the board.

But when he was confronted with several email correspondences that mentioned the projects, with particular reference to the committee’s meeting on September 28, 2018, the witness said ‘I need to refresh my memory.’

When asked whether he refreshed his memory about the said meeting when he gave his statement to the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) before making those categorial statements, he admitted ‘I didn’t.’

‘Did you refresh your memory of the minutes and committee pacts of September 31, 2018, of the IC meeting before writing your statements at the NIB?’ Voctoria Barth, counsel for Solomon Asamoah, quizzed.

‘The answer is both yes and no,’ the witness answered. ‘In the course of the interrogation, sometimes we were given some minutes to refresh our memory. At the time I was writing my statement, I didn’t have the luxury of having all the documents around me, so I had to rely on some of the issues that were readily in my mind. It was based on that I wrote my statements,’ Yaw Odame Darkwa added.

Former Chief Executive Officer of GIIF, Solomon Asamoah and the erstwhile Board Chairman of the Fund, Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi have been charged before a High Court in Accra for their alleged involvement in unapproved $2 million investment in the Accra Sky Train project, which allegedly resulted in financial loss to the state.

The prosecution’s first witness, Yaw Odame-Darkwa’s main evidence is that there was no board approval for the investment and that the project did not go through routine board scrutiny as it was mentioned only ones.

But counsel for the accused have since mounted a relentless defence, with lawyers for Mr. Asamoah tendering several email correspondences and board minutes that actually referenced the project.

For instance, the July 31, 2018 minutes of the Investment and Finance Committee states that ‘Members expressed support for the project as it had the potential over facilitating speedily passengers from one end of the city to the other. This, it was anticipated, would facilitate business activities. Members also noted the need to consider in further details this project so a sound decision as regards GIIF’s participation could be made and recommendation made to the board.’

The witness, who was part of the said meeting, confirmed that this was indeed captured in the said minutes.

Madam Barth then confronted the witness that because he could not remember whether the Investment Committee meeting scheduled for September 28, 2018 took place, he was not ‘in a position to make a categorical statement that the IC did not recommend the Sky Train project to the board of GIIF.’

The witness agreed and said ‘What is in my witness statement is what I recollected.’

‘So, apart from the board minutes that you used to refresh your memory at the NIB, everything you said about IC committee decisions was purely based on your memory,’ the lawyer further pressed and the witness said ‘Yes.’

Meanwhile, the defence has given copies of another batch of email exchanges between the board members and the company secretary between 2018 and 2020 in respect of board meetings and minutes to the prosecution, for the witness to review and answer questions on same today when the trial resumes.

The health of a nation is not gauged merely by its GDP, but by the moral temperature of its populace. For Ghana, the tragic abandonment of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) is not a simple administrative oversight; it is a betrayal of the Republic’s soul.

?This deliberate starvation of the very institution mandated to forge national character is an indictment of the ruling class. They lament the citizens’ poor attitude, yet strategically dismantle the factory to promote civic virtue.

?The NCCE, now a mere skeleton, stands as a devastating national metaphor. It mirrors the Ghanaian citizen currently in circulation: a figure defined by blind partisan devotion and a crippling tolerance for corruption.

?This prevailing citizen, who prioritises party colour over the national collective, is not the solution to Ghana’s problems. He/She is, in a profound and tragic paradox, the cause of the national stagnation. The crisis is not solely political; it is fundamentally an issue of citizenship failure.

?To extract Ghana from this mire, we do not simply need new leaders; we need a New Ghanaian, the Conscientious Citizen, to take the nation out of here.

?The Conscientious Citizen is a figure of intellectual autonomy, the antithesis of the passive subject. This transformation is rooted in four pillars of character:

?First, Critical Patriotism: This is a loyalty not to the ephemeral whims of a politician, but to the enduring principles of the Constitution. Like a good shepherd, the New Ghanaian serves the flock (the nation) above the voice of the owner (the party). This stance dismantles blind partisanship, making merit, not manipulation, the currency of governance.

?Second, the Accountability Zealot: This citizen views public property as a sacred trust, a communal inheritance that must be defended fiercely. Their motto, rooted in Article 41, is simple: they are an active, everyday whistleblower. When corruption walks in the light, the Zealot ensures it cannot hide in the shadows of apathy.

?Third, the Reciprocity Demander: This Ghanaian understands that duty is leverage. The moment they fulfil their tax obligations, they earn a non-negotiable right to demand justice, integrity, and service delivery from the State. They have shed the mentality of the supplicant seeking favours and adopted the posture of the stakeholder demanding an owed return.

?Fourth, Informed Autonomy: This citizen rejects the propaganda and misinformation that fragment the national spirit. They cultivate a discerning mind, ensuring their vote is cast for policy and substance, not personality or tribal allegiance. This is the intellectual insurance policy against the manipulation that often poisons the democratic well.

?The path to cultivating this Conscientious Citizen begins with a radical commitment to the very institutions that were allowed to fail.

?The NCCE must be immediately and massively resourced, not as a charity, but as the primary strategic asset for long-term democratic stability. Starving it is an act of democratic self-sabotage. Funding must be guaranteed, transforming the Commission from a beggar into a fully empowered public service.

?Furthermore, civic education must be overhauled. It must move beyond rote learning to teaching critical thinking, training students not just to know the rules, but to possess the courage and wisdom to challenge power responsibly.

?Crucially, the political class must cease its hypocrisy. A citizen will not build a house if they see the architects stealing the cement. The State’s own performance is the most potent civic lesson. The ruling class must visibly demonstrate, through the aggressive prosecution of corruption and adherence to the rule of law that the era of impunity is over.

?This requires structural change. The advocacy of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) for Constitutional review to reduce Executive dominance and strengthen independent bodies is vital. When the system itself is structurally resistant to corruption, the citizens’ inclination to trust and participate is restored.

?The prevailing state of Ghanaian citizenship reflects the tragic state of the NCCE. But the New Ghanaian is not a utopian fantasy. They are the critical necessity for a prosperous, accountable, and resilient republic.

The time has come for the ruling class to prove its commitment to the nation, not just to power, by investing in the conscience of its people.

The Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested two young men in connection with the robbery and murder of a 28-year-old woman at Asokore Mampong near Kumasi, in an incident that has reignited public concern over rising street crime in the region.

The suspects, identified as Farouk Iddris, 20, a motorbike mechanic and rider, and Salim Mohammed, 19, a motorbike mechanic and rickshaw (Pragia) rider, are alleged to have attacked and killed the victim during a robbery on December 6, 2025, at about 5:00 p.m. Police identified the deceased as Silver, also referred to as Sylvia, Ngozi.

According to the Ashanti Regional Police Command, the two suspects robbed the woman of her iPhone 11 Pro during the attack. Preliminary investigations indicate that in the course of the robbery, one of the suspects allegedly stabbed the victim with a knife, inflicting fatal injuries.

Following the incident, the suspects reportedly went into hiding. However, acting on intelligence, a joint team from the Regional Police Headquarters and the Anti-Robbery Unit arrested them on December 12, 2025, at about 9:00 p.m., at their hideout in Aboabo, Kumasi.

In a statement, the Head of the Public Affairs Unit of the Ashanti Regional Police Command, DSP Godwin Ahianyo, said items retrieved from the suspects include the stolen iPhone 11 Pro and a zigzag-edged knife believed to have been used in the murder.

He disclosed that during interrogation, both suspects admitted to committing the robbery, while Salim Mohammed, who was the pillion rider on the day of the incident, identified the knife as the weapon used to stab the deceased.

A search conducted in the room of Farouk Iddris also led to the retrieval of additional offensive weapons, including machetes and knives, which have been retained for evidential purposes. Police say the suspects remain in custody and will be arraigned before court as investigations continue.

In a related development, the Ashanti Regional Police Command has also arrested three other suspected armed robbers believed to be behind a series of street robberies across parts of Kumasi and its environs.

The suspects, namely Abdul Fatau, 22; Philip Nyarko, 24; and Smack Haddy, 21, were picked up in connection with separate robbery incidents at KNUST, Asokore Mampong, Kenyase, Antoa Bosore, Maayanka, Ayeduase and surrounding communities.

Items recovered from this second group include 59 iPhones, six Android phones, four tablets, five laptops, as well as a knife and a cutlass believed to have been used in some of the crimes. Police said the suspects have confessed to their involvement in the robberies and are currently assisting with investigations.

Addressing the media, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Osei Akoto Arthur, described the arrests as a major breakthrough in the Command’s ongoing fight against violent and street crime. He commended officers involved in the intelligence-led operations for their professionalism and diligence, and assured residents of the Command’s commitment to ensuring safety and security across the region.

DCOP Akoto Arthur appealed to members of the public who may have lost mobile phones or other valuables in recent robberies within the affected areas to report to the police to help with investigations. He also urged the public to continue supporting the police with timely information to help curb criminal activities.

All suspects, police said, will be put before court in due course to face the full rigours of the law.

Jake Paul will attempt to defy the odds on Friday night in Miami when he steps into the ring with former two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua in one of the most talked-about boxing events of the year.

The bout pitches the YouTuber-turned-professional boxer against an established heavyweight star, with Joshua entering the contest as a heavy favourite.

Many observers expect the British powerhouse to end the fight within the opening rounds, given his experience, size and pedigree at the highest level of the sport.

For Paul, the clash represents the biggest challenge of his unconventional boxing career and a chance to silence critics who question his legitimacy in the ring.

For Joshua, it marks a return to action after a year away, as he looks to reassert his dominance and put a definitive stop to Paul’s rise in the boxing spotlight.

The event also signals another major foray into boxing by Netflix, which continues to invest in high-profile fights with Paul as a central figure, ensuring global attention for the spectacle.

The central question remains whether Paul can produce what would be considered one of the greatest upsets in boxing history, or whether Joshua will deliver a decisive statement performance and bring an abrupt end to the Paul phenomenon.