The Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs has asked the Ghana Education Service to institute investigations into the alleged sexual harassment and pestering of young female athletes by their coaches. A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry, Adiza Ofori Adu, also urged young female athletes and footballers who had suffered any form of sexual harassment from their coaches to muster courage and report such pestering officials. The request follows a Times investigative story which appeared on Thursday, August 26. The statement urged school authorities and sports officials to take interest in the investigations and the welfare of young ladies under their care who show promising talents in the sports field to ensure that they develop their potentials to the fullest. The MWCA's call comes days after former Chief Athletics, coach of the National Sports Council, (NSC) and now Director of Sports at the University of Ghana, Legon, Dr. Emmanuel Owusu-Ansah, also impressed upon the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, to constitute a committee of enquiry to probe into the affair. When contacted, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Nii Nortey Dua, declined to speak on the issue, explaining that he was out of the country when the story was published and, "I have not the slightest idea about it." However, he told the Times yesterday that he was going to discuss the issue with his boss and substantive sports minister, Ms. Akua Sena Dansua, to take a look at the situation and perhaps issue a statement on it. The minister was not available for comment. National Co-ordinator of Physical education (PE) of the Ministry of Education, Mr. B. A. Annan, who refused to disclose his identity when reached, would also not want to comment on the story. When pushed further, he said, perhaps, such harassments might be happening though he had not had such experience. "Maybe, for fear of stigmatisation and victimisation, the girls may not want to come out and talk," he noted. Source: Daily Guide