Accra — ECOWAS and the Government of Ghana have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Second ECOWAS Under-23 Games to be hosted by the country from 2nd to 8th June 2012.

The MOU signed by the President of the ECOWAS Commission and Ghana's Minister of Youths and Sports in Accra on 9th February 2012, provides a framework for collaboration between the ECOWAS Commission and Ghana's Ministry of Youth and Sports to ensure effective coordination of the preparation and the smooth organisation of the week-long Games.

The competition provides a forum for interaction between West African youth, strengthens sporting and economic ties between Member States, and promotes a sense of belonging among participants. Under the MOU, the ECOWAS Commission is charged with sponsoring and providing financial support and managing the Games internationally, facilitating transport and boarding for participants, and seeing to the publicity, amongst other responsibilities.

On the other hand, the Ministry of Youth, Ghana will be responsible for ensuring the availability of sports facilities, logistics and security during activities, as well as handling the reception and accommodation of participants, in addition to other tasks. Through this event, the ECOWAS Commission desires to promote and enhance the practice of sports as a means of uniting and encouraging youth in West Africa to progress through balanced development. The ECOWAS Youth and Sport Development Centre based in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso will coordinate the Games on behalf of the Commission.

Participants will compete in five sports during this second edition of the Games, including athletics, handball, volleyball, traditional wrestling and boxing, which will be featuring for the first time. Nigeria hosted the inaugural edition of the Games in Abuja in 2010.