The Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Clement Kofi Humado is confident this year’s edition of the ECOWAS Games will be an ideal platform for participating countries to prepare adequately ahead of the London 2012 Olympics later this year. The Youth and Sports Ministry launched the 2nd edition of the games which will be hosted here in Ghana from 2nd to 7th of June. According to the Hon. Humado, the timing of the ECOWAS games serves as a good preparation ground for participating teams for the upcoming London Olympic Games later this year. “For many of our countries, this year’s Games will serve as a good preparation ground for our sports men and women for the upcoming London Olympic Games later this year”. The first ECOWAS Games was held in Abuja, Nigeria in 2010 and Ghana participated alongside other countries from the sub region. The aim of these biennial games, among others, is to bring the youth and people of the ECOWAS sub region together through sports and to help foster the spirit of friendship and sub-regional integration among our ECOWAS Member States. It is also to contribute to the promotion of peace and unity within the sub region. It is also believed that the ECOWAS Games is contributing towards the realization of the “ECOWAS Vision 2020” which seeks to move the Community from “ECOWAS of States” to an “ECOWAS of people”. Meanwhile, a Local Organizing Committee has been formed with deputy Youth and Sports Minister Dr. Omani Boamah as the chairman to ensure proper organization of the games.