During a special 100-day review broadcast on Gabon 1ère, Paul Kessany, Minister of Youth, Sports, Cultural Radiance and Arts, delivered a transparent performance report to the public. Appointed in early January, he highlighted that 62.3% of the 53 planned projects in his portfolio have reached full completion, with an additional 24.5% exceeding 50% execution—a clear signal of momentum in his sectors.
Kessany, whose full title is Paul Ulrich Kessany Zategwa, has wasted no time in reshaping Gabon’s youth and sports landscape. A key early move was the establishment of a normalization committee within the National Youth Council of Gabon (CNJG), setting the stage for broader institutional reforms.
Sports governance under the microscope
In the sports domain, Kessany initiated a sweeping audit that led to the formal recognition of 13 Olympic federations—a critical step toward cleaning up the country’s sports governance. Infrastructure remains a priority, with Kessany pledging to return the Gabon national football team, Les Panthères, to competitive play on home soil within two years.
Culture and heritage take center stage
The cultural portfolio has seen equally significant progress. Legislative and technological upgrades include the modernization of the Gabonese Copyright Office (BUGADA), where 21 officials were sworn in, and the digitization of 2,250 works, safeguarding national creative assets. A landmark decree signed on May 22, 2026, now regulates the export and commercial use of Iboga, addressing international pressure while protecting a sacred national resource.
Beyond domestic reforms, Kessany’s leadership shone on the international stage during the FEMUA 18 summit in Abidjan, where Gabon’s delegation made a strong impression—further cementing his reputation as a decisive and effective administrator.
