Gabon’s culture and sports minister delivers 62.3% project completion rate
Appearing on a televised accountability programme, Gabon’s minister of youth, sports, cultural outreach and arts, Paul Kessany, calmly presented his sector’s performance dashboard. Appointed on 2 January 2026, the official reported that out of 53 projects launched, 62.3% were fully completed, while another 24.5% had an execution rate above 50%.
With the fifth republic priding itself on injecting fresh momentum, certain figures stand out for their active contribution. Among them is Paul Ulrich Kessany Zategwa. The minister for youth, sports, cultural outreach and arts has worked to leave his mark. On the youth front, he set up a normalisation committee within the National Youth Council of Gabon (CNJG). This regulatory step was just one of many achievements.
Paul Kessany on the path to renewal
This assessment is easy to make 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 marked the first stage of a broader cleanup of the associative fabric. Regarding infrastructure, the minister of youth, sports, cultural outreach and arts has set a two-year deadline to bring the national football team back to domestic pitches.
On the cultural side, notable legislative and technological advances were achieved. These include the modernisation of the Gabonese Copyright Office (BUGADA), culminating in the swearing-in of 21 agents, and the digitisation of 2,250 works. Paul Ulrich Kessany has laid the groundwork to protect the national heritage. A decree issued on 22 May 2026 now regulates the exploitation of Iboga in the face of international commercial pressure, capping his efforts. The country’s diplomatic visibility at the 18th edition of FEMUA in Abidjan also stands out as a masterstroke that has confirmed his management style to this day.
