Wolfgang Schäuble, one of the most influential figures in German and European politics, has died at the age of 81. A member of the conservative CDU party, he sat in Germany’s federal parliament (Bundestag) for 51 years. The one-time finance minister played a key role in negotiating German reunification after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and is …
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Germany: New laws and other changes in 2024
The new year brings important changes for people living in Germany. For example, anyone who is dependent on social assistance or citizen’s allowance will receive more money from January. Other changes include an increase in the basic and child allowance, a higher minimum wage, more money for school supplies and the pink paper prescription from the doctor becomes a digital …
Read More »Bringing African flavours to you in Europe: The story of an enterprising couple
In a world where Nigerian emigration is commonly referred to as ‘japa,’ signifying a desperate escape from a challenging environment, Olusegun and Oyetola Akande, the visionary founders of Sami’s Online African Foods, are breaking stereotypes and paving the way for a new narrative. This enterprising couple have not only travelled abroad but have also made a remarkable impact by establishing …
Read More »Ghana opens new Visa and Passport Application Centre in Berlin
Ghana has opened a new dedicated facility in Berlin for the delivery of improved consular services to its citizens and non-citizens planning to visit the West African country in Germany. The Premium Application Centre (PAC) for Visas and Passports should help in providing better services to Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians in Germany and aims to enhance the existing consular services offered …
Read More »Ghana launches new policy on diaspora engagement
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana has officially launched a policy on how the country would engage its citizens living across the globe in national development efforts in their homeland. The Diaspora Engagement Policy was unveiled at a ceremony on Wednesday in Accra. Highlighting the significance of the Ghanaian diaspora, estimated to be between 1.5 and 3 million citizens …
Read More »Kenya becomes visa-free for all visitors from January 2024
“Beginning January 2024, Kenya will be a visa-free country. It shall no longer be necessary for any person from any corner of the globe to carry the burden of applying for a visa to come to Kenya,” President William Ruto announced Tuesday during the 60th independence anniversary celebration in Nairobi, the capital. The effect of the landmark move means it …
Read More »Lupita Nyong’o named jury president of Berlinale
Kenyan actor, filmmaker and bestselling author Lupita Nyong’o will head the jury at the 2024 Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale), which begins on 15 February. “We are excited to announce the president of the International Jury at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival: Lupita Nyong’o!” the Berlinale management announced on Monday. “Lupita Nyong’o embodies what we appreciate in cinema: versatility …
Read More »Liberia: We witnessed victory for democracy — Herzberger-Fofana, MEP
An EU observer mission witnessed the recent presidential election in Liberia. Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, Member of the European Parliament who was a member of the mission, writes about what they witnessed in Liberia and her views on the future of the country ____________________ The change of government took place in accordance with democratic principles and the laws in force in …
Read More »Germany: TANG celebrates anniversary, honours outstanding personalities
The bitter cold did not discourage the more than 100 guests from all parts of Germany from converging on Saturday 2 December in the prestigious Robert-Havemann-Hall in Rathaus Mitte in Berlin. They have come to honour The African Network of Germany e.V. (TANG), which celebrated its 10th anniversary with fanfare. TANG is the umbrella group for more than 900 African …
Read More »Nigeria: Lagos airport gets improved arrival facility
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has unveiled the newly refurbished E-Arrival Wing at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos. This upgraded hall, a collaborative effort between the Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and Shell Nigeria Exploration Production Company Limited, aims to streamline the arrival process, providing a smoother experience for passengers, especially the elderly …
Read More »Nigeria, Germany sign agreement to improve electricity supply
President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday evening in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, witnessed the signing of an accelerated performance agreement aimed at expediting the implementation of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) to improve electricity supply in Nigeria. The agreement, consummated on the sidelines of the COP28 climate summit, was signed by Mr Kenny Anuwe, …
Read More »Cameroonian women’s group receives German Africa Award 2023
On Thursday evening (30 November 2023), the Vice-President of the German Bundestag, Katrin Göring-Eckardt, presented the German Africa Award 2023 to the 1st National Women’s Convention for Peace in Cameroon at the Allianz Forum in Berlin. The award, which was awarded to a collective for the first time in 30 years, recognises the Women’s Peace Platform’s pioneering work in promoting …
Read More »Stop Violence against Women! by Dr Herzberger-Fofana, MEP
Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, MEP: “However, some Member States of the European Union are reluctant to legislate, as well as to introduce, for example, the notion of consent. Yes, it’s yes and No, it’s no! It shouldn’t be complicated to understand”/Photo: © Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana Here’s the message of Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, Member of the European Parliament representing Germany on the …
Read More »Germany: New Laws and Other Changes in December 2023
As with every new month, December 2023 brings a number of changes for people living in Germany. Two groups of people can be particularly pleased, as they will receive more money in the new month. Deutsche Post has published tips on when Christmas presents should be sent and the Deutsche Bahn has also published its Winter Timetable. You can find …
Read More »Germany offers Africa “reliable partnership”
Germany is offering itself to African countries as a long-term and reliable economic partner. That is the message of Berlin at the G20 Compact with Africa (CwA) Conference in the German capital city this week. “Africa is our partner of choice when it comes to intensifying our economic relations and taking the common path to a climate-neutral future,” said Chancellor …
Read More »German Africa Prize 2023 to be presented in Berlin
German Africa Prize 2023 goes to the Cameroonian women’s peace platform “1st National Women’s Convention for Peace in Cameroon”. The Deutsche Afrika Stiftung e.V. (German Africa Foundation), organisers of the award, has announced. The Prize will be presented to the organisation by the Vice President of the German Bundestag Katrin Göring-Eckhardt at a ceremony on 30 November at the Allianz …
Read More »EU updates rules for long-term resident status for non-EU nationals
At a meeting of the Council of the EU’s permanent representatives committee on Thursday, EU member states agreed to update the conditions under which third-country nationals can acquire EU long-term resident status. In order to acquire EU long-term resident status, third-country nationals have to legally and continuously reside in a member state for at least five years. This EU status …
Read More »Nigerian leader seeks German investment in critical sectors
President Bola Tinubu has called for German investment in critical sectors of the Nigerian economy such as power and rail transportation. Tinubu made the call at a meeting with German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, on the sidelines of the G20 Compact with Africa Economic Conference, on Monday in Berlin. The president said that German investment was needed in critical growth-enabling industries …
Read More »Nigeria advises citizens against travelling abroad without legal papers
The Nigerian government has warned its nationals against travelling abroad without proper documentation to avoid the unpleasant consequences of irregular migration. The Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa, stated this when she visited some Nigerians in one of the shelters in Brampton, Canada. A statement released via the commission’s handle on X Thursday, warned Nigerians who have the …
Read More »China grants visa-free travel to Germans, 5 others
China has granted visa-free travel to Germans and citizens of five other countries for a year, its foreign ministry announced on Friday. “China has decided to apply unilateral visa-free policy to more countries on a trial basis, which involves extending visa-free treatment to travellers holding ordinary passports from six countries, namely France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia,” Chinese …
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