10 Mar 2015

President of Ghana, Dr John Dramani Mahama, has congratulated Dee-Zone Productions managing director, Thabiso Maretlwaneng, for creating employment for other youths.

Speaking during a visit to the youth project on March 9, President Mahama hailed the owner for empowering the youth, adding that the youth had become an epitome of success in Botswana by making their presence felt regionally, continentally as well as internationally.

He said Africa had the fastest growing economy and as such there was lack of employment and therefore applauded the production company for being at the fore front in reducing the high unemployment.

Dr Mahama said many youths were skeptical about starting their own companies and tended to rely heavily on government for employment, noting that Dee-Zone Productions had to be commended for their initiative. He assured him of an invite to Ghana as a youth ambassador to motivate young Ghanaians and share experience with them.

Maretlwaneng said the company had technically produced and directed a variety of television programmes, airing on Botswana television, DSTV, Good Morning Africa and Studio 53 Channel.

He said Dee-Zone Productions was a 100 per cent citizen owned company specialising in film and television projects. He said the company was funded by government under the Youth Development Fund Scheme in 2009 to the tune of P98 000. Maretlwaneng said when he started, he was the only permanent employee of the company, but now had 50 permanent youth employees and two interns.

The company, he said, aimed at transferring and sharing skills as well as creating employment for the youth and encouraging self-reliance. The Gaborone district coordinator for the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture, Mr Jacob Sekgoni also commended Dee-Zone Productions for creating employment for the youth.

Mr Sekgoni said the company had repaid its loan within the agreed time, something that did not happen with other youth companies funded by government.

He stated that the ministry continued to support youth projects through procurement scheme and urged other youth groups to be business minded and focused to realise their dreams. Mr Sekgoni said the ministry was aware that the film and television industry is a multi-million dollar industry and has a full potential of growing the economy and creating employment.

He said there were on-going discussions with the Department of Broadcasting Services to open a second television channel which would be dedicated to entertainment.

President Mahama who is on a three-day state visit and is accompanied by the first lady , Mrs Lordina Mahama.

The Presidential entourage also comprises the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Intgration, Hanna Tetteh, Minister of Education, Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyeman and the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Nii Osah Mills.  ENDS