Invited on Gabon 1ère’s regular “100-day review” programme, the Minister of Youth, Sports, Cultural Outreach and the Arts, Paul Kessany, calmly took part in this democratic accountability exercise. Appointed on 2 January 2026, the official presented a particularly dynamic sectoral dashboard: out of 53 projects initiated, 62.3% have been 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 players can boast of having fully contributed to it. Among them is Paul Ulrich Kessany Zategwa. Indeed, the Minister of Youth, Sports, Cultural Outreach and the 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 act was just one step in a string of achievements.
Paul Kessany on the path to the expected renewal
This is certainly the conclusion one can easily draw given the early signs visible in the terms of reference. In the sports domain, the government member launched an in-depth audit that led to the regularisation of 13 Olympic federations. This initiative is the first step in a comprehensive clean-up process of the associative fabric. On the infrastructure front, the Minister of Youth, Sports, Cultural Outreach and the Arts has given himself two years to bring the Panthères back to national pitches within two years.
Furthermore, the cultural component stood out with notable legislative and technological advances. Whether it be the modernisation of the Gabonese Copyright Office (BUGADA), marked by the swearing-in of 21 agents, or the digitisation of 2,250 works, Paul Ulrich Kessany has set the stage to protect the 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. What about the country’s diplomatic influence during FEMUA 18 in Abidjan? A masterstroke that has confirmed his management skills to this day.
