News

Germany extends visa free status for refugees from Ukraine

The edict allowing people fleeing the war in Ukraine to enter Germany without a visa and reside in the country without a permit has been extended. The Ukraine Residence Transition Ordinance (UkraineAufenthÜV), issued by the Federal Ministry of the Interior on 7 March 2022, is currently valid until 23 May 2022. An amendment** of the edict was approved by the …

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How a Kenyan fintech helps keep kids from low income families in school

Kenya’s constitution guarantees free public education for children and has made great strides to make that happen over the past decade. “However, persistent historical barriers, such as poverty and distance to school, continue to prevent many children from accessing the teaching and education they deserve. For years, this has stumped education policymakers,” says Andrew Zerzan, Deputy Regional Director and Director …

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European MP makes case for African students affected by Ukraine war

Here’s the speech delivered by Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, member of the European Parliament, at a public demonstration against the war in Ukraine, which took place in the southeastern German city of Erlangen on Saturday, 26 March. The Malian-born European parliamentarian makes a strong case for African students displaced by the war who are currently seeking refuge in the EU ——– …

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What the Global Oil Crisis means for Africa

The cost of fuel has risen sharply, with the price of crude oil hitting a 14-year high in recent weeks, sparking concerns around the world as countries worry about their ability to meet their energy needs. What about Africa? Experts ponder on the way forward for the continent JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, March 31, 2022/ — Energy experts say the growing …

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The 22 African women who have served as Heads of State

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 31st March, 2022 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/- The role that women should play in shaping Africa’s present and future was a key theme from speakers of the Women Heads of State Initiative, co-convened by Africa.com and Coca-Cola Africa. The event introduced the world to the 22 women who have served as president or prime minister of an African …

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Ghana changes COVID-19 rules for international travellers

Ghana has lifted most COVID-19 domestic measures and international travel restrictions effective from Monday, 28 March. For example, the wearing of masks in the West African country is no longer mandatory just as outdoor functions can resume at full capacity as long as all persons are fully vaccinated. In addition, land and sea borders have reopened to passenger traffic. President …

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Nigerian vice president on how to prevent coups in Africa

Troubled by the increasing incidence of military takeover of power in Africa, former Nigerian leader Olusegun Obasanjo has convened a conference to deliberate on how to halt the trend and consolidate the democratic gains of the recent past in the continent. Nigeria’s vice president delivered a keynote address at the event, which took place in Abeokuta on Monday —– The …

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Musa’s Return to The Gambia after Seven Years in Europe

A migrant’s personal story of return, resolution and resilience Tübingen – It’s a warm summer day in 2021. Musa Coker sits in the office of his return counsellor. He has visited the small office in Southwest Germany multiple times this year, seeking information, advice and counsel and discussing his return to The Gambia, his country of origin. Today, Musa will …

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Germany launches information portal for refugees from Ukraine

The Federal Ministry of the Interior and Home Affairs (BMI) has launched a portal to provide information and orientation support to people seeking refuge in Germany from fleeing the war in Ukraine. “Germany4Ukraine.de is an information service for refugees from Ukraine. It provides them with a trustworthy, secure, digital contact point with the most important initial information after their arrival …

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Ukraine: Germany promises better registration of refugees

Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, speaking in the Bundestag (federal parliament) on Wednesday, said the registration of displaced persons from the war in Ukraine was currently being improved. Refugees who are admitted to initial reception centres are registered there. This should be further intensified, she said. As at Wednesday (16 March), the Federal Police had registered around 175,000 refugees from …

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World’s largest hospital ship makes its way to Senegal

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, March 16, 2022/ — The 37,000-gt Global Mercy was welcomed in Rotterdam, Netherlands over the last two weeks as the ship opened its doors to the public and global dignitaries for tours before it will begin active service in May in Dakar, Senegal – the first of many missions in the next 50 years on the African continent. …

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Nigeria’s Second Lady visits Vienna, celebrates African women

The wife of Nigeria’s vice president visited Vienna, Austria, recently mainly to attend an event commemorating the International Women’s Day. Oluyemi Ogundele* reports on the august visit —— The three-day visit of the wife of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo ended on a higher note. The official visit started on Friday, the 11th …

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Germany deports 34 Nigerians aboard charter flight

According to the information of Refugees4Refugees, a rights group, 34 Nigerians were deported to their home country on Tuesday (15 March). It was the first deportation carried out onboard a charter flight this year. The deportees, who were forcibly returned aboard an aircraft belonging to Iberojet to Lagos, are persons whose asylum claims had be rejected. Thirty of the 34 …

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Ukraine: What EU should do for African students displaced by war, by Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, MEP

Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, Member of the European Parliament representing Germany on the platform of the Greens, writes on the reports of discrimination against Africans fleeing the war in Ukraine and she makes specific demands from the European Union on the situation of African students displaced by the conflict —— On behalf of ARDI, the European Parliament’s Anti-Racism and Diversity Intergroup, …

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Germany releases Regulation on Residence Permit for Refugees from Ukraine

Germany’s Federal Ministry of the Interior has published an edict on the temporary exemption of persons from Ukraine from the requirement of a residence permit due to the war in the country. The edict, dated 7 March 2022 and called Ukraine-Aufenthalts-Übergangsverordnung (Ukraine Transitional Residence Ordinance or UkraineAufenthÜV), allows Ukrainians and third country nationals resident in the country to enter and …

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