Germany

African makes history as first elected member of Cologne’s City Council

  On Sunday 13 September, millions voters went to the polls in towns and cities across North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany’s most populous state, to vote for Lord Mayors, Mayors, Councillors and the Integration Councils. Many candidates of African origin participated at the elections. Results are now coming in. Dr John Emeka Akude, a Nigerian-born political scientist, was elected member of the …

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Flashback! Remembering König Bansah’s fairytale Wedding, 20 years on

With a turnout of 1,500 invited guests from Europe, North America and Africa and 15,000 self-invitees from all parts of Germany, who lined the route of the couple‘s triumphant ride through the town of Trittenheim, state of Rhineland Palatinate; with dozens of press, radio and TV journalists, including some in an helicopter hovering over the idyllic town, who turned the …

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Why we must demand justice for William Tonou-Mbobda, by Dr Herzberger-Fofana

A rally was held in memory of William Tonou-Mbobda* on 30 August in Hamburg, Germany. Organised by the Black Community’s Coalition for Justice & Self-Defence, the event was to demand for justice for the deceased Cameroonian who died following a scuffle with the security personnel of an Hamburg hospital where he was being treated. Here's the speech of Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, Member of the European Parliament and Co-President of the EU Anti-Racism and Diversity Intergroup, that was delivered at the rally

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Germany: Immigrants elect Integration Councils in North Rhine-Westphalia

On 13 September, elections for Lord Mayors, Mayors, Councillors and the Integration Councils will be held in towns and cities across the western German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The Integration Councils are for many people with a migration background the only opportunity for political participation through elections. Many Africans are vying for seats on the Integration Councils (Integrationsrat), the only …

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König Bansah’s son appointed chief executive of Red Cross welfare organisation

Carlo Bansah, the son of König Cephas Bansah, has assumed office as the managing director of DRK Vorderpfalz gGmbH. DRK (Deutsches Rotes Kreuz) is the synonym of the German Red Cross and Vorderpfalz is a region in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate.   The IT specialist who also studied business management, aged 40, took over the management of the welfare service …

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Germany: New laws and regulations in September 2020

Numerous legal changes enter into force in Germany in September.  For example, the corona children’s bonus will be paid out, compulsory masks on trains will be more strictly controlled and the new training year starts while lottery players have to dig deeper into their pockets. An overview of all new legal changes in September 2020: ——- Payment of Corona children’s …

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Germany: AfricanTide mobilises Africans for NRW elections

On 13 September, elections for Lord Mayors, Mayors, Councillors and the Integration Councils will be held in the western German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. AfricanTide Union e.V. is calling on members of the African community to participate in the elections. “Your opinion counts, because it is about you, your family and our community!” the organisation said in a public message …

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Berlin to rename Mohrenstrasse after African philosopher

In what could be described as a major victory for the Black community’s long struggle for the renaming of streets bearing names derogatory or disrespectful of Africans in the federal capital, the District Assembly (Bezirksversammlung) of Berlin-Mitte has approved the name change of the Mohrenstrasse (Moor Street). On Thursday evening, the assembly decided to rename Mohrenstrasse. In the future, the …

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Beware of fake Nigerian driving licence, Berlin lawyer warns Nigerians in Europe

A Berlin-based legal practitioner has warned Nigerians in Germany to be careful when procuring driving licence from their home country. He gave the advice while speaking with The African Courier, revealing that he was presently handling several cases involving fake driving licences from Nigeria which were submitted to the German authorities for recognition.

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Travellers entering Germany must undergo mandatory coronavirus test — or pay €25,000

Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn has decided to make corona testing mandatory for people entering Germany. It will apply to all travellers entering Germany from high-risk areas from Saturday, 8 August. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Germany’s centre for disease control, lists the countries that are classified as high-risk areas on its website. The list of high-risk areas currently …

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Germany: New legal regulations from 1 August 2020

The new month begins with a number of legislative changes that you should be aware of. From August 2020, not only corona tests will be mandatory for people returning to Germany from some countries, but there will also be more financial support for pupils, students and employees in further education and training. Moreover, there will be changes affecting government assistance …

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Too black for some, too white for others: Conflicts of Afro-German Identity

“I’m used to not being German enough, living in this country, but not being African enough to represent Africa in Germany was a new one to me,” writes Jennifer Odusola, narrating the complexity of the experience of Germans of dual African-German heritage. — Thoughtless statements or comments that aren’t meant to ‘offend’ often have ways of exposing hidden conflicts regarding …

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