It is a topic that has dominated headlines of many major international media outlets for weeks.

This is not the first of its kind, but the current migrant crisis in Europe has certainly shaken the continent.

Thousands of refugees keep arriving mainly from Syria and Afghanistan.

In October, the German government organized a trip for journalists and experts from more than 10 different countries (Including Ghana, Croatia, Lebanon, Venezuela and Vietnam) to study the migration and integration trends in the country and the role the federal government is playing in the current crisis.

I was privileged to have represented Ghana at this forum. Now join me as I share my experience from the 7 day trip to German capital, Berlin.

 First though:

BACKGROUND OF CRISIS

The European migrant crisis  arose through the rising number of refugees and migrants coming to the European Union, across the Mediterranean Sea or through Southeast Europe, and applying for asylum.

They come from areas such as the Middle East (Syria, Iraq), Africa (Eritrea, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan, Gambia), South Asia (Afghanistan,Pakistan, Bangladesh), andthe Western Balkans (Kosovo, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina).

Available statistics from the the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR( website indicates that, as of October 2015, the top three nationalities of the over half a million Mediterranean Sea arrivals since the beginning of the year are Syria (54%), Afghanistan (15%) and Eritrea (6%). Most of the refugees and migrants are adult men (68%) (Source: Wikipaedia).

GERMANY TAKES THE LEAD ROLE

Images of the lifeless body of a 3 year old, Aylan Kurdi  is yet the most tragic symbol of the crisis.

 Young Kurdi died alongside his mother, and his brother as they fled the ISIS-besieged Syrian city of Kobane towards Greece.

 Thousands of others have perished trying to cross the Mediterranean into European country’s like Germany, Greece, Hungary.

Despite the precarious situation facing these refugees who travel on the dangerous waters for days, they are often met with brute hostility when they arrive at the borders of certain countries.

Hungary for example blocked its border with Serbia. It introduced legislation making illegal border crossings punishable by imprisonment.

Slovakia closed its borders with Hungary and Austria. Police were deployed to keep unwanted refugees out.

When all others, in clear terms refused to brace the odds, Germany did the opposite.

“The fundamental right to asylum does not have a limitation... As a strong, economically healthy country, we have the strength to do what is necessary.” German Chancellor Angela Merkel told the German media in September.

That statement from the most powerful politician in the federal republic was a signal of the government’s intent of taking accepting some 800,000 refugees in 2015 alone.

Since then more migrants continue to seek refuge in the country.

•             The Berlin experience

The German Capital is arguably one of the amazing places to visit.  Tourist sites (including the great wall of Berlin memorial) and other interesting places to hang out abound.

 Currently in Berlin, there are constantly fresh initiatives to make life easier for refugees. These range from Non-governmental organizations providing shelter for these refugees, establishment of refugee camps across the country by the government, special schools to integrate migrants into German society etc.

•             Visit to the refugee camp

As pressure mounts on German authorities with increasing number of refugees making their way into the country each day, many refugee camps have been set up across the state. One of them is the temporary shelter for refugees in Berlin (Poststadion area).

Here, there are makeshift tents housing hundreds of migrants from countries like Syria and Afghanistan and Iraq

Beyond shelter, families are provided with 3 square meals a day. There are recreational facilities to keep the refugees active all day as well. They also have the opportunity to study undertake intense training in the German language.

But before anyone could have the opportunity to access these facilities, they first have to register the at a center closeby

The Mayor of the district Belin-Mitte, Dr Christian Hanke conducted us round the facility. Desperate and weary refugees had formed long queues as they waited for their turn.

‘’This is the third day I am coming here and I’ve still not been able to register’’ Abdul Rashid, a migrant from Syria told me through an interpreter

The process is not without challenges. But that is not surprising as authorities are simply overwhelmed by the thousands they have to deal with daily.

Many of these people like Abdul Rashid only want one thing; a better life. A life away from the war in their home countries. The conflict in Syria simply made life unbearable for Rashid

‘’I had to flee for my life and my future....One day I intend to bring my family here as well’’ said Rashid in a soft voice.

•             The German Bundestag (parliament)

Being a political reporter, one of the places I really looked forward to visiting was the German Bundestag; their version of our own parliament house. Interestingly, it was the same day the house had taken a crucial decision to add 3 more countries to what is described as ‘’safe countries of origin’’ for refugees. According to the UNHCR, the application of the safe-country concept in relation to countries of origin leads to nationals of countries designated as safe being either automatically precluded from obtaining asylum/refugee status in receiving countries or, at least, having raised against their claim a presumption of non-refugee status which they must, with difficulty, rebut. Ghana is already on that list with Senegal and Gambia

Here we met with some members of the committee on Internal Affairs (Interior committee).

Five Members of Parliament, Rudiger Veit (Social Democratic Party), Ulla Jelpe (Left Party), Volker Beck (The greens) and Dr Lars Castellucci (Social Democratic Party).

Our discussions  focused on the decision by the house on the ‘’safe countries’’ and efforts by the parliament to initiate legislation to complement the federal governement’s efforts at containing the situation.

Mr  Beck, an outspoken advocate for equal rights of the LGBTI community and other minorities made a strong case for countries like Ghana to be taken off the list of safe countries. According to the Greens MP, ‘such nations still abhor practices like homosexuality and such minority groups constantly face threats to their lives...It would therefore be prudent for the German parliament to take a second look at this issue.’’

Spokesperson on the interior committee, Rudiger Veit tells me, ‘’This proposal will be considered. But not in the short term’’

•             Encounter with German National Team manager

It was the second day of our visit, Tuesday 13th October. As usual, it was a packed day with non-stop meetings from 8am. Earlier in the day, we had had a roundtable discussion with officials at the federal ministry of interior on the migration and integration in Germany. I must say, in all the deliberations, one thing was clear, the government knows accepting responsibility for taking the refugees is the tougher choice.

It was during the second appointment that I met the man I have always admired from afar; Joachim Löw.

The venue was to the salon, restaurant of one of the most renowed hairdressers in Berlin today Shan Rahimkhan. The Iranian entrepreneur who relocated to Germany in 1995 was telling us about how he managed to adapt to life in the federation. ‘Life was tough but i was determined’’ he said.

As the inspiration-filled conversation with Mr Rahim Khan and his most hospital wife was about reaching its apogee,  I saw a familiar face walk out of the salon. My immediate reaction was to turn to my Vietnamese colleague Binh.

‘’Is that not the German National team coach?’’ I asked. Before I could get a response from him he was already standing by Joachim low and calling me out to take a selfie. I did that and had my turn too. I requested for an interview and asked if he would ever coach my darling club Chelsea or even Ghana.

His response was brief: “Interview? Not today. But that is a tricky question’’

Maybe one day he will finally end up as Chelsea’s manager. I hope that will be soon too as the club is in crisis under Jose Mourinho

•             Dr Bonaventure: One of many Africans making waves in Germany

There were several occasions I was looked at strangely by some people as I waited for a train at the station. Initially I found that particularly surprising as Berlin is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world. I soon came to understand why. Every night, especially on weekdays, some young men; usually blacks could be seen selling drugs at the train stations.  There is a certain stereotype created as a result.

One that certainly does not bode well for the image of blacks; at least in this city. But one man blazing the trail in the Western country is Cameroonian artist, Dr Bonaventure Ndikung. Not that he is alone in the course to make Africa a shining example across Europe.

But the likes of Dr Bonaventure help overshadow the few ‘’bad nuts’’ whose vices could cause an embarrassment to the entire black race in Germany.

He has worked as curator, art director and consultant for several international exhibition projects and festivals in Germany, France, England and Cameroon, and has published more than 15 exhibition catalogues.

Life as an immigrant was not an easy journey for him. But today he manages one of the most influential art spaces in Berlin.

‘’I feel proud to be in this position ensuring that I contribute my bit to the Africa’s image’’ He said with clear pride in his voice.

•             What does the future look like?

This is one question no German government official would give you a straight answer to.

 Many have questioned what the government’s decision to accept large numbers of political refugees would mean for the economy and particularly, the countries welfare system. Such persons think this decision is a bad one. A choice that would enslave the economic freedom that the European nation’s citizens currently enjoy

Yes! Germany has a rather vibrant economy. But in view of the present circumstances, the question is, for how long can Deutschland ‘’stomach’’ the refugees when it remains a gamble.

Upon a deeper thought, one realises however that, it is not about the risk. Neither is it about the ‘’discomfort’’ it could bring in the short to long term on the country. Rather, it is about the responsibility Germany has. A duty all European nations need to rise up to!