Invited to a national television appearance as part of the routine “100-day review” programme, the Minister of Youth, Sports, Cultural Outreach and Arts, Paul Kessany, calmly faced the democratic accountability exercise. Appointed on 2 January 2026, the official presented a particularly dynamic sectoral dashboard: out of 53 projects initiated, 62.3% were completed, while 24.5% show an execution rate above 50%.
At a time when the 5th Republic prides itself on having sparked a new dynamic, some contributors can boast of having fully supported that momentum. Among them is Paul Ulrich Kessany Zategwa. Indeed, the Minister of Youth, Sports, Cultural Outreach and Arts has worked hard to leave his mark. First on the youth front, with the establishment of a normalisation committee within the Gabon National Youth Council (CNJG). This regulatory step was just one part of a string of achievements.
Paul Kessany on the path to the expected renewal
That is certainly an easy conclusion to reach given the promising early signs in the portfolio. In sports, the government member launched a thorough audit that led to the regularisation of 13 Olympic federations. This initiative represents the first step in a broader cleanup process of the associative fabric. On infrastructure, the Minister of Youth, Sports, Cultural Outreach and Arts has set a two-year deadline to bring the Panthers back to national pitches.
Furthermore, the cultural sector saw notable legislative and technological advances. Whether modernising the Gabon Copyright Office (BUGADA)—marked by the swearing-in of 21 agents—or digitising 2,250 works, Paul Ulrich Kessany has laid the groundwork to protect national heritage. The decree of 22 May 2026, which now regulates the exploitation of Iboga in the face of international commercial pressure, crowns this journey. Not to mention the country’s diplomatic shine during FEMUA 18 in Abidjan. A masterstroke that has confirmed his managerial acumen to this day.
