Gabon’s Paul Kessany reports 62.3% progress in culture and sports sectors

In a recent accountability session, Gabon’s minister of youth, sports, cultural outreach, and arts, Paul Kessany, presented an impressive sectoral scorecard. Appointed on 2 January 2026, he reported that out of 53 initiated projects, 62.3% were fully completed, while an additional 24.5% are more than halfway through execution.

Paul Kessany drives renewal in youth, sports, and culture

Kessany’s early achievements include installing a normalization committee within the National Youth Council of Gabon (CNJG), a regulatory step that set the stage for further reforms. In sports, he launched a comprehensive audit leading to the regularization of 13 Olympic federations, the first phase of a broader cleanup of the associative landscape. The minister also committed to reviving the national football team, the Panthers, within two years through infrastructure upgrades.

On the cultural front, notable progress came through legislative and technological advancements. The modernization of the Gabonese Copyright Bureau (BUGADA) saw the swearing-in of 21 agents, while 2,250 works were digitized. A decree on 22 May 2026 now regulates the exploitation of Iboga, addressing international commercial pressures. Gabon’s diplomatic visibility also rose during FEMUA 18 in Abidjan, showcasing Kessany’s effective management.