During a routine accountability session, Gabon’s minister of youth, sports, culture and arts, Paul Kessany, calmly presented his sector’s progress. Appointed on January 2, 2026, he reported a particularly dynamic dashboard: out of 53 initiated projects, 62.3% have been completed, while another 24.5% show an execution rate above 50%.
At a time when Gabon’s 5th Republic prides itself on sparking a new dynamic, several officials can boast significant contributions. Among them is Paul Ulrich Kessany Zategwa, who has worked to leave his mark. On the youth front, he installed a normalization committee within the National Youth Council of Gabon (CNJG), a regulatory step that was just one in a string of accomplishments.
Paul Kessany on track for long-awaited renewal
This conclusion is easy to draw given the early signs visible in the project charter. In sports, the minister launched an in-depth audit that led to the regularization of 13 Olympic federations — the first step in a broader cleanup of the associative landscape. Regarding infrastructure, the minister has set a two-year goal to bring the Panthères back to national pitches.
On the cultural side, significant legislative and technological advances stand out. These include the modernization of the Gabonese Copyright Office (BUGADA), marked by the swearing-in of 21 agents, and the digitization of 2,250 works. Paul Ulrich Kessany has set the stage to protect national heritage. A decree dated May 22, 2026 now regulates the exploitation of Iboga in response to international commercial pressure, capping his journey. Additionally, the country’s diplomatic visibility shone at FEMUA 18 in Abidjan — a masterstroke that has sustained his managerial reputation to this day.
