FEATURES

African refugee activist becomes national political star in Italy

The activist Aboubakar Soumahoro was elected into Italy’s lower chamber of Parliament on 25 September. He has dedicated his work to fighting for migrants and workers who are exploited in the fields, namely those who are often regarded as “invisible”. “Our shared dream reaches Parliament.” With this phrase, Aboubakar Soumahoro celebrated his election into the Italian Chamber of Deputies on …

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Germany: What poverty looks like in a rich country

Amid soaring inflation, particularly for food and energy, the gap between rich and poor in Germany is widening. Incremental increases to social safety nets will do little to alleviate the problem, experts warn. A special report by Sabine Kinkartz/DW Although Germany is one of the richest countries in the world, signs of increasing poverty are becoming increasingly visible across the …

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Fashion: Nigerian brand sets standards for Africa

Lagos-based Africana Couture with the opening of its new classy outlet in Abidjan has made a significant statement of intent of taking the lead in the propagation of African fashion on a global scale The merry sound of clinking glasses, hearty laughter and afrobeats music permeated the cool September evening at Rue Marconi Zone 4, a posh business district in …

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Sociologist seeks support for organic farming project in Togo

Tomfei Kougnon, a young sociologist who trained in biodynamic agriculture in Switzerland, is appealing for support to realise his dream of an organic farming project in his home country, Togo. Organic farming is an agricultural system that uses fertilizers of organic origin such as compost manure, green manure and bone meal, and places emphasis on techniques such as crop rotation …

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Kenya elections: Season of intrigues, betrayals and comic relief

In a feature on the general elections in Kenya holding on 9 August, our senior contributing editor, Mickie Ojijo, analyses democracy in the east African country and explains why the system is not delivering the expected dividends to the people — As Kenya’s general election, scheduled for 9 August 2022, enters the homestretch, horse trading and amalgamations of political entities …

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Germany: How we motivate our children to take their education seriously — Desmond Beddy, founder of AYEA

The African Youth Education Awards (AYEA) is an initiative to promote higher educational achievements among youth in African-origin communities in Germany. Every year, young people who have excelled in their educational and training careers are honoured with AYEA at a colourful ceremony in Hamburg. AYEA was initiated in 2010 to act against the observed low educational attainment levels of African-origin …

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How to Address Diaspora Africans’ Mental Health Challenges

Ghanaian-born Swiss-based Analytical Psychologist and Psychotherapist Esther Abena Keller calls attention to the increasing psychological and mental health risks of Africans in the Diaspora, who are challenged in specific ways, socially, economically and politically. Dr Keller identifies the specific reasons why diaspora Africans are especially susceptible to mental health challenges and what could be done to address these challenges ——– …

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Germany to make multiple citizenship possible for all — Chancellor Scholz

Chancellor Olaf Scholz has announced that he wanted to end all restrictions to multiple nationality in the country’s citizenship law. Speaking at an event to mark the tenth anniversary of the scholarship and mentoring programme GEH DEINEN WEG (Go your way) of the Deutschlandstiftung Integration (German Foundation for Integration) in Berlin on Monday, he said 50 per cent of naturalisations …

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SAP graduates paving way to Africa’s digital future

NAIROBI, Kenya, 21st June 2022 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/- Graduates of the SAP Young Professionals Program are adding valuable digital skills capacity to African enterprises across the continent. According to Cathy Smith, MD SAP Africa, since the launch of the program in 2012, the support provided by graduates brings critical digital skills to African businesses to help drive greater digitalisation and …

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SPECIAL: How Black People in Europe Began to Organise

An international conference sponsored by the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation and the Initiative of Black People in Germany brings together activists and scholars in Berlin By Femi Awoniyi* People of African descent have historically been part of European societies. Indeed, their roots on the continent date back centuries, even if this fact is barely acknowledged in modern history books. “Black Europe: …

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African refugees from Ukraine face uncertain future, groups appeal to German government

EU countries have generously been welcoming of the refugees from Ukraine since the Russian invasion of the country on 24 February. These are largely spared bureaucratic hurdles as they receive residence permits without individual assessment and have access to the job market, welfare benefits and other social support. In the shadow of the refugee crisis are the so-called third-country nationals …

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Opinion: What EU must continue to do to maintain its place as most successful peace project ever

Every year, the member states of the European Union celebrate Europe Day. This day commemorates the signing of Robert Schumann’s declaration of 9 May 1950, which is considered the birth certificate of what is now the European Union. Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, Member of the European Parliament, writes on how she commemorated the Day in Germany this year and why the …

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Nigerian Diaspora Housing Mortgage Scheme set for Inauguration

A comprehensive Diaspora Housing Mortgage Scheme will soon be inaugurated, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has announced. According to a press release issued by the Commission, Hon (Dr) Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, NiDCOM, made the pledge when she visited the Management and Staff of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) in Abuja recently. The meeting was subsequent to both …

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Germany: Important information for Africans from Ukraine

Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, more than 4 million Ukrainians and people of other nationalities resident in the country have fled to other European countries. According to the German government, more than 400,000 of the displaced are currently in Germany to seek refuge – among these are thousands of Africans. While the legal …

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Here’s How African Leaders are Creating a More Inclusive and Sustainable World

The World Economic Forum today unveils the world’s most promising 109 Young Global Leaders under the age of 40, involved in activities from advocating for the rights of refugees to the advancement of innovation to combat COVID-19Among the 42 countries represented, 12 leaders hail from Africa and their work brings the promise of a brighter outlook at a difficult timeThey …

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New statistics on Germany’s inhabitants with migration background published

As the Federal Statistical Office announced in Wiesbaden on Tuesday, 22.3 million people living in Germany have a so-called migration background. This corresponds to a population share of 27.2 per cent. People with a migration background are those who themselves or at least one parent was not born with German citizenship. According to the data determined on the basis of …

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