The first session of a youth entrepreneurship development programme dubbed, 'The Gold Fields Innovation Camp: 2009 Business Challenge' involving 90 senior high school students ended here at the weekend with St. Augustine's Senior High School emerging the winner. The programme, sponsored by Goldfields Ghana Limited through the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation at the cost of GH¢20,OOO was organised in partnership with Junior Achievement Ghana to inspire innovative thinking in young minds and encourage youth entrepreneurial skills development. The judges chaired by Mr. Robert Bruce of Gold Fields declared St. Augustine's as the winner with 418 points. The school also swept the challenge in the business model, presentation and team work. Tarkwa Senior High School came second with 344 points whilst Fiaseman Senior High School took the third position with 342 points. Prestea High (263 points), Benso High (234 points) and Huni-Valley High (124 points) followed in that order. It was an intense experience for the students as they proposed solutions within limited time, access to tools, information and resources. In addition to these limitations the team members did not know each other and had not seen the write-up on the challenge, but had to adapt to each other quickly and find out how to work together most efficiently. Additionally, the students had the opportunity to foster innovative thinking and understanding in legal, responsible and sustainable Artisanal and Small Scale (ASM) in their communities. ASM is estimated to provide direct employment to between 150,000 and 500,000 people of whom an estimated 30 per cent are women. For instance, in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem and Prestea-Huni Valley districts alone, there is an estimated 40,000 galamseyers operating in the area. ASM gold and diamond production from the ASM sector generates over US$100million annually in revenue. Official estimates show that, whilst Ghana has produced an average of 1,000,000 ounces of gold and 800,000 carats of diamonds per annum over the period, an average of about 100,000 ounces (about 10 per cent) and 700,000 carats (about 70 per cent) of gold and diamonds respectively were produced by the ASM miners in the country. Apart from learning more about the dangers and effects of illicit artisanal and small-scale mining on their livelihood, the students were tasked to develop their interpersonal and problem-solving skills and also worked under very tight deadlines. Students also learnt how to interact appropriately with colleagues and the importance of presenting oneself in a professional manner. Dr. Toni Aubynn - Director of Corporate and External Affairs, remarked, "Ghana's efforts at achieving sustainable development will be a mirage, if the entrepreneurial skills and potential of the youth are not developed and harnessed." He continued "We are happy to be working with JA-Ghana, an organisation with the track record and experience to provide what the youth need to realise their full potential and to become positive contributing members to their communities. We believe it is important to focus the minds of our communities on ways of enhancing alternative livelihoods in a manner that is socially, environmentally and legally responsible, and the best place to start is working on young minds." Source: The Ghanaian Times