The federal parliament has passed a law to make it easier for foreign residents to become German nationals. The new law on citizenship, provides for faster naturalisation. Furthermore, anyone applying for a German passport will no longer have to give up their previous nationality. For people who are dependent on state aid, however, access to citizenship is made more difficult. …
Read More »Germany: Parliament okays bill to make deportations faster
The Bundestag, Germany’s lower house of parliament, approved the new “Repatriation Improvement Act” (Rückführungsverbesserungsgesetz) on 18 January. The law provides for a significant tightening of deportation rules. Among other things, the maximum period of pre-deportation custody is to be extended from 10 to 28 days. The number of cases in which public prosecutors are to be involved in deportations from …
Read More »Tribute: Wolfgang Schäuble was a notable advocate of diversity
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 …
Read More »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 »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 »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 »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 »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 »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 »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’s President Tinubu visits Germany
President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria is scheduled to arrive Berlin on Saturday for a three-day official visit to Germany. Among other activities, he will attend the G20 Compact with Africa (CwA) Conference, hosted by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, on Monday (20 November). “During the conference, President Tinubu will join other Heads of State and Government of CwA member countries, bilateral …
Read More »African festival of well-being holds in Berlin
We are used to African festivals being events connected with singing, music and dancing as well as other related cultural activities. A new form of festival will hold on 24 November in Berlin. It’s a festival devoted to our well-being in a holistic sense of it, as the organiser, Lola Bassey of the Aktive Afrikanische Eltern Initiative e.V. (Active African …
Read More »Refugees as labour or scapegoats?
Dr. Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, MEP comments on the ongoing debate across Europe about migrants, which she argues, ignores the benefits that refugees can bring to the labour market and fuels racist sentiments against Africans, among others —- The tone that was struck in the run-up to the migration summit and can still be heard from many quarters is very worrying. A …
Read More »TANG to celebrate 10th anniversary with grand ceremony in Berlin
All roads lead to Berlin on Saturday 2 December when the biggest umbrella body of African associations in Germany celebrates its 10th anniversary. “This event is a special opportunity for The African Network of Germany (TANG), comprising more than 900 non-profit groups and individuals, to celebrate its successes and share its vision for the future,” the organisation said. The day …
Read More »Extent of Racism in Germany exposed in new survey
Black, Asian and Muslim people reveal the extent of discrimination they experience in Germany on a daily basis in a new national discrimination monitor. Marcel Fürstenau/DW reports Disparaging looks or insults are daily occurrences in Germany for people with dark skin, Muslim women who wear a headscarf and people who speak German badly or not at all. Discrimination in Germany …
Read More »German Visa: Appeal for better treatment of African applicants
An urgent appeal has gone to the German government for a better treatment of African applicants for visas to visit the country. Across the continent, Africans are facing immense hurdles to legally obtain visa to enter Germany for the purposes of business, to attend conferences or trade fairs, for leisure visit, to study or receive training. In the appeal addressed …
Read More »German president apologizes for colonial crimes in Tanzania
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has asked for forgiveness for the crimes committed by the military during Germany’s colonial rule of Tanzania. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Wednesday sought forgiveness for crimes committed during the country’s colonial rule in Tanzania. “I would like to ask for forgiveness for what Germans did to your ancestors here,” Steinmeier said during a visit to …
Read More »Germany: New Laws and Other Changes in November 2023
November 2023 brings some important changes not only for people living in Germany but also those aspiring to come and work in the country. Among other things, it will now be much easier for skilled workers to immigrate to Germany. Is your car insurance renewing on 1 January 2024? We have news for you! Also, we inform about this year’s …
Read More »German Chancellor Scholz visits Nigeria, Ghana
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is visiting Africa for three days; first Nigeria, then Ghana. Scholz arrives Abuja on Sunday for a two-day working visit to Africa’s most populous country. While in Nigeria, the German leader will hold meetings with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and ECOWAS Commission President, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, according to his itinerary published by the German Embassy …
Read More »German government approves plan for faster deportations of asylum-seekers
The Federal Government has today approved a draft law aimed at faster repatriation of migrants who are obliged to leave the country. “Only if it can be ensured that those who are subject to an enforceable obligation to leave our country actually do leave, does Germany have the possibility to continue to admit those people who need our protection,” reads …
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