Strong Start to the Visit of Gesamtschule Berger Feld at GISA

On Wednesday, a delegation from Gesamtschule Berger Feld in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, began its visit to the German International School Accra (GISA) with a diverse and high-level programme. The visitors – Evans Ankomah Kissi, Kevin Kisyna, and Sebastian Lorenz – are spending several days in Ghana to learn more about GISA and explore opportunities for future cooperation.

The first item on the programme was a visit to the residence of the German Ambassador. Together with Head of School Rainer Kropp-Kurta, the delegation joined German Ambassador Frederik Landshöft and Cultural Attaché Dagmar Fehr for an extensive breakfast meeting. In a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, participants exchanged views on German-Ghanaian relations, the role of German schools abroad, Ghana’s educational landscape, and the opportunities offered by international school partnerships.

A special highlight of the visit was the presentation of an FC Schalke 04 jersey bearing the original signatures of the team that secured promotion back to Germany’s Bundesliga last season. Together with an FC Schalke 04 pennant, the gifts were presented as a gesture of appreciation and as a symbol of the emerging exchange between the two schools. Gesamtschule Berger Feld has maintained close ties with FC Schalke 04 and its renowned youth academy, the Knappenschmiede, for many years.

The delegation then visited GISA for a tour of the campus. During the visit, the guests gained insights into the school’s development, its educational concepts, and its unique role as the only officially recognised German school abroad in West Africa. Discussions focused on the growing secondary school, the combination of the German and international educational pathways, the school's support and enrichment programme, project-based learning opportunities, and the wide range of activities in the fields of language, culture, and sport.

Particularly fascinating for many students were the insights into Gesamtschule Berger Feld’s close connection to professional football. Students listened with great interest when they learned that seven participants in the current FIFA World Cup 2026 are former students of the school. The news sparked numerous questions and highlighted the school’s unique position within the network of FC Schalke 04 and its highly successful youth development programme.

The official programme concluded with a lunch meeting hosted by GISA Board Chair Gunnar Wegner. Constructive discussions focused on possible areas of cooperation, future exchange opportunities, and the value of international encounters for young people.

The first day of the visit already revealed many promising points of connection between the two schools. Over the coming days, the delegation will take part in classroom observations, further discussions, and visits to educational and social projects. GISA looks forward to continuing the exchange and to the many encounters that lie ahead.