Following last year’s successful debut of “afrika! Community Award”, application for the sponsorship scheme for Africans in Germany has opened. The Award was introduced in 2017 by MoneyGram, the global money-transfer company, to support the work of socially-engaged organizations in the African community.

There are more than 700 African clubs and associations which support projects in Africa or promote integration measures, sporting activities and African culture in Germany.

With the “afrika! Community Award” the money-transfer company wants to give back to its customers in Germany.

Four organisations emerged winners of the maiden edition of the award last year and each of them received a cash donation of 1,000 euros for the support of their activities.

A novelty this year, according to the organizers, is that not only registered organizations can apply but also individuals and companies “if they sustainably support the African community in Germany or implement aid projects in Africa from Germany”.

This is in recognition of the fact that many Africans in their personal capacities sponsor social projects in their home countries or support one initiative or the other in their community in Germany.

Prizes will be awarded to two winners in each of the following categories:  

• Sports
• Social commitment/Education
• Companies
• Culture

 A five-member jury consisting of four representatives from the African community and one from MoneyGram will determine the winners.

From now until 31 August 2018, Africans in Germany are invited to register for the prize, whose winners will not only gain extra publicity but also MoneyGram sponsoring with a total value 3,000 euros.

To participate and stand a chance of being a winner, simply fill out the registration form on https://afrikaportal.eu/teilnehmen/

Application closes on 31 August 2018.

Femi Awoniyi
http://www.theafricancourier.de/europe/registration-opens-for-moneygrams-sponsorship-award-for-africans-in-germany/

The General Assembly of the Ghaspora founding members, across Europe, recorded a positive resonance, last week in Dortmund, Germany. Since the formation of the entity in January 2017,most of the deliberations were channeled through telephone conference, hence, this landmark General Assembly, has engaged members to put up structures that would execute their convinced projects ahead.

The idea of bringing all Ghanaians in the Diaspora (Ghaspora) under one umbrella, setting up structures in aid to the Ghana/ Socio Economic development is being conceived by Mr Kwaku Appiah (former Secretary of the  ruling National Patriotic Party here in Germany) 

A great number of Ghanaians who participated in the first telephone conference last year, decided to tackle the menace of filthy waste materials in Ghana, that are detrimental to our health.  Participants of the telephone conference  considered  preservation of our Agricultural products as another priority in solving Ghana Socio -Economic growth. Therefore Ghaspora brought Food processing in their developed concept.

Detailing the legal section of Ghaspora meeting at “ The House Of Varieties” (Haus der Vielfalt, Dortmund) the Moderator Mr Frederick Addo explained the functions and intrinsic of the Executive Organ. The house was convinced about the necessity of the election and thereafter, Mr Kwaku Appiah, the initiator, was crowned as the Chairperson . Mr Frederick Addo, an outstanding business Expert in a Pharma Industry (France) was chosen as a vice Chairperson.

In an exclusive interview Mr Frederick Addo brought it in revelation that Ghaspora has embarked on three major projects in Ghana including the Agro Processing, Waste Management and Sanitation (Eco Toilets)

Ghaspora in their negotiation with some key Elites at the Mampong Traditional Council as well as the Municipal Council is able to secure about 20acres of land where factories would be mounted to preserve Ghana Agricultural products.  “ Ghaspora is going to put up a cornflakes and biscuit factories in the region and I think it will reduce the massive unemployment in the region and expedite development in the country” (MrAddo added)

Other Members among the Executive elects at the General Assembly are as follows..  

Mr Clement Akomea Brako (Secretary)
Mr  Adu Boahene (Deputy Secretary)
Mrs Cassandra Abrokwa Lahmer ( Treasure)
Mr Kwame Abrefa Busia (Deputy Treasure)
Mr Ralph Adeniran (Chief - Public Relation Officer)
Mrs Christabel Coffie (Deputy -Public Relation Officer)
Nii Korley Commodore (Chief Organiser)
Mr  Yamoah Gyasi(Deputy Organiser)
Mr Felix Baah (Cordinator)
Mr Kyere Ampofo (Deputy Cordinator)
Mrs Eugenia Agyemang ( Auditor)
Mr Joseph Addae (Research Officer)
Mr Botchway( Deputy Research Officer)

The General Assembly in a consensus designated three Members to manage their Pilot projects in anticipation.

1. Mr Kwaku Appiah, as the CEO of Ghaspora Sanitation Project , with a special assignment to manage the Eco Toilet Initiative.
2. Mr Clement Brako Akomea, CEO, Waste Management and Recycling.
3. Mr Frederick Addo, CEO, Agro Processing and Management  respectively.

Other areas that came under intensive discussion were implementation of Shareholding scheme and founding members Equity.

a.The General Assembly decided to sell Social Parts or Business Unit of Ghaspora Company Limited .
b.The Assembly confirmed further the Equity Share for qualified founding members.
c. Members agreed not to sell out Shares, rather, allow Customers to reserve Shares, until all legal obligations are cleared.

In his closing remarks Mr Clement Akomea Brako, Presiding Chairperson of the Assembly, rendered his heartfelt appreciation to  all Participants making the event a class of its kind. He extended his profound gratitude on behalf of Ghaspora Foundation to Mr Yamoah Gyasi who offered a facility in Accra, Weija to be used as Ghaspora Office in the capital Region.

In summary, Ghaspora has come to stay and is ready to supplement the growth of Ghana Economy by bringing down developmental projects.

The pilot project of the Waste Management and Recycling is in shoot at Kwanyako in the Central Region. The Agro processing in Mampong -Ashanti is under progress whilst the Eco toilets would be distributed very soon across various regions in the country. More than 70 people both in Europe and Ghana have placed their reservation for  Ghaspora Shareholders slot and other anticipated areas. For further information, please contact the Management of GHASPORA or check www.ghaspora.com

By David Adu Boahene
Media Consultant
Founder Radio Africa Stuttgart

Oktay Özdemir and Björn Wichmann (Academy of Police) with Sylvaina Gerlich (IMIC e.V.):

Hamburg Police Seeking Applications from African migrants"New, strong and self-confident," said Hamburg's Interior Senator Andy Grote, the Hamburg police want to attract young applicants for the different careers as a police officer and also address migrants with their current advertising campaign. "African migrants are very welcome to us," confirms Björn Wichmann, head of the recruitment office at the Hamburg Academy of Police. 

 It starts with the motives "#Zielsicher", "#Träume leben" and "#Baywatscher", which are intended to highlight the attractiveness of the Hamburg police for different advertising media and cinematically emotional, concise and sometimes provocative.

 The campaign is supported by IMIC e.V. (Intercultural Migrant Integration Center e.V.), in cooperation with Derya Yildirim and Oktay Özdemir from the Hamburg Academy of Police. IMIC President Sylvana Gerlich: "We motivate young African migrants and Afro-Germans to apply to the police. It is an interesting career field with many development opportunities.

Sylvaina Gerlich (IMIC e.V) & Interior Senator Andy Grote

”At present, 250 prospective police officers are being trained at the Hamburg Academy of Police. Soon there will be 500. Building on this, Interior Senator Andy Grote wants to expand the existing staffing by a third in the next five years.

The campaign does not stand alone, according to the senator, with a modernization and professionalization of the police, geared towards the new generation of digital natives, who for example expect digital work equipment in the workplace.

In addition, there are new service models, all the way to home workplaces, in order to meet the new requirements. In any case, the quality is retained in the application process, so Andy Grote, according to the motto "We are the good guys and seek the best, you can be there.

" Information on: https://karriere-polizei.hamburg.dePhotos from the press conference:Interior Senator Andy Grote: "The new campaign shows the police new, strong and confident"Interior Senator Andy Grote and Sylvaina Gerlich (IMIC e.V.): "We are the good guys and you can be there."Oktay Özdemir and Björn Wichmann (Academy of Police) with Sylvaina Gerlich (IMIC e.V.): "African migrants are very welcome."

Moving to a different country is an exciting yet daunting process. Make sure you jump through all the right hoops in Germany by following these tips.

1. Get a visa if you need one

Citizens of the EU, the EEA and Switzerland

If you come from the EU, the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway), or Switzerland, you do not need to have a visa to live and work in Germany. You are not required to have a short stay visa for stays of under three months, and you do not need a residence permit for stays exceeding three months.

Citizens of third countries

If you come from a third country (a country outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland), you need to apply for a visa before you arrive in Germany. But people from certain third countries are exempt from this step if they are staying for up to three months within a six-month period - like the United States, Canada and Australia. Check whether you are exempt here.

There are two main types of visa for citizens of third countries. The first is the short stay Schengen Visa which is issued to people intending to stay for less than three months. The second is the longer stay residence permit which is given to people who plan to stay for more than three months.

SEE ALSO: How to get German citizenship (or just stay forever)

Both types should be applied for at your home country's German embassy before you come to Germany. The application fee is currently set at €60.

To obtain a short stay Schengen visa, you must meet all of the following four requirements. Firstly, the purpose of the trip must be “plausible and comprehensible”. Secondly, you must be able to finance your living and travel costs from your own income. Thirdly, you must be prepared to leave the Schengen area before the visa expires. Lastly, you must provide evidence of travel health insurance which is valid for the whole Schengen area and has a minimum coverage of €30,000.

To obtain a longer stay residence permit, you will need to show proof of your ability to finance your living. You must also fulfil one of the following six requirements: If you would like to get training in Germany, if you would like to work in Germany, if you are entitled to stay in Germany for humanitarian or political reasons, if you are immigrating to Germany for family reasons, if you are a foreign national or formerly German and would like to return to Germany, or if you have a permanent residence permit in another EU member state, you could be eligible for this type of visa.

It takes a few months to process the application for a longer stay residence permit, so make sure you apply early so that your permit arrives on time.

MUST READ: The easiest visas to get as an American in Germany

2. Find some accommodation

If you want to get a permit to stay long-term as someone from a third country, you'll need a place to live and you'll need to be registered at that address. Sites like wg-gesucht.de, immobilienscout24.de, and immowelt.de are helpful for finding a WG (a shared flat) or a flat to yourself. If you would like to rent a flat which is already furnished, make sure you include the term "möbliert" in your search. 

When you send off applications for flats, you will generally need to provide a copy of your passport, proof of your salary (i.e. three payslips), and a maybe even letter from your previous landlord/landlady to confirm that you don't owe any money to him/her. Be prepared to send off something like 40 emails to different landlords and receive numerous rejections in response until you are successful.

Make sure you know what you're paying for. “Kaltmiete” is the basic rent which does not include water, electricity, heating or rubbish collection, whereas “Warmmiete” is all-inclusive. There are often several “Nebenkosten” (additional costs). Also, you are normally required to pay a “Kaution” (deposit) to the value of two or three months' worth of rent.

MUST READ: 6 things to know about renting in Germany

3. Register your residence (“Anmeldung”)

Within two weeks of arriving in Germany, everyone needs to register their residence here. This can be done at the registry office (the "Bürgeramt", the “Einwohnermeldeamt”, or the “Kreisverwaltungsreferat” if you're in Munich). Busy offices will require you to make an appointment as they get booked up very quickly. If you drop in without making an appointment, be prepared to wait a while. At quieter offices, you may be able to just walk in and get an appointment there and then.

Make sure you take your ID, passport and rental contract with you. In Berlin, new regulations state that you will also need to provide a document from your landlord to confirm that you have moved in. This document needs to contain the name and address of the landlord, the date that you moved in, and your name. At the registry office, you will be required to fill in a form and confirm your identity in person.

At the end of the registration process, you will be issued with a registration certificate (the “Anmeldebestätigung”). Keep this safe - you will need it as your proof of address when you open a bank account, for example.

4. Get an EU Blue Card if you're eligible

The EU Blue Card is a residence permit issued by an EU member state to professionals from non-EU/EEA countries which will provide better access to the job market in Germany. There are two prerequisites to being issued with a card. Firstly, you need a university degree, and secondly you must show evidence of a binding job offer with a salary of at least €49,600 per year. (In the fields of mathematics, IT, natural sciences, medicine or engineering, your salary must be at least €38,888.)

The card is initially valid for up to four years, but this can be extended. After 33 months of working in Germany, holders of an EU Blue Card can be granted a permanent settlement permit.

5. Open a bank account

Two of the most basic account types are the "Girokonto" (basic current account) and the "Sparbuchkonto" (savings account). To open a bank account, you will need to provide a form of ID (for example your passport) and also your registration certificate (the “Anmeldebestätigung”). You will be required to confirm your identity in person.

The most widely used German banks are Sparkasse, Kommerzbank, Deutsche Bank, Volksbank and Postbank. Banks which only offer an online service and do not have physical branches are Deutsche Kreditbank (DKB) and Comdirect.

6. Set up your phone

Make sure you call your phone provider before you get to Germany to activate roaming and check the charges for using your phone here. Using roaming can get pricey, so it may be cheaper to buy a prepaid SIM card once you get here. Vodafone, Lebara, T-Mobile, E-Plus and 02 are the some of the largest providers in Germany.

Source: Thelocal.com