Accra, June 20, GNA - University of Cape Coast emerged champions among ten competing teams from various tertiary institutions in the "Students in Free Enterprise National Competition" (SIFE), held in Accra on Saturday.

The University thus won the right to represent Ghana at the SIFE World Cup 2004, scheduled for Barcelona, Spain in September.

SIFE is an International non-Governmental Organisation founded in the United States in 1975 with the aim of providing tertiary students the opportunity to learn, practice and teach the principles of the free enterprise system.

There are currently 1,800 SIFE teams in tertiary institutions in 41 countries worldwide.

The competition involved the presentation of projects of their engagement in community outreach programmes by each SIFE team aimed at educating the inhabitants on the workings of a market economy and assisting them to design practical ways through which they could utilise resources in their locality to help reduce poverty.

Projects presented from these community initiatives ranged from the processing of mangoes into juice and jam, inculcation of the savings culture among the inhabitants and education on simple bookkeeping principles for market women among other projects.

Each competing team presented an average of six projects. Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Jack Shewmaker, Executive Consultant, J-Com Incorporated said when the youth were supported they could make positive changes in people's lives and ensure a bright future for mankind.

He said all individuals had equal opportunity to advance and progress in life, saying, however, that success would depend on how one was able to manage failures and overcome obstacles on one's way. Mr Shewmaker called for effective communication with everyone involved in running an enterprise since knowledge was not the repository of the management class alone.

Besides, it was important not to look at the failures of individuals but to identify their unique strength in the attainment of organisational goals.

Ho Polytechnic came second, ahead of the University of Ghana and Takoradi Polytechnic, which placed third and fourth respectively. Certificates were presented to students who spent more time in community work. 20 June 04