..hails Togo’s leadership
By Michael Oche
The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has hailed Togo’s leadership in the adoption of a United Nations resolution promoting the use of the Equal Earth map projection, describing the move as an important act of historical and representational justice for Africa.
The resolution, spearheaded by the Republic of Togo and supported by the African Union, was adopted by an overwhelming majority of 164 UN Member States.
In a statement issued in Lomé, Togo, on Sunday, ITUC-Africa General Secretary, Akhator Joel Odigie, commended the government and people of Togo for demonstrating what he described as Pan-African spirit, determination and leadership in advancing the initiative.
ITUC-Africa said Togo had shown that African countries could successfully shape global debates and institutions when they act with clarity, unity and confidence.
For centuries, the trade union body noted, the widespread use of the Mercator projection had visually diminished Africa while disproportionately enlarging parts of Europe and North America.
Odigie argued that the distortion was not merely a technical cartographic problem, as maps influence education, public imagination, policymaking and perceptions of political and economic power.
“Correcting this longstanding distortion is therefore an important act of historical and representational justice,” he said.
According to ITUC-Africa general secretary, recognition of Africa’s true geographical size should also serve as a reminder of the continent’s enormous possibilities, given its vast landmass, growing population, strategic resources, productive potential and expanding workforce.
Odigie said the development should serve as a “clarion call” for Africans to recognise what they possess, build collective capabilities and use them to advance shared development.
The organisation, however, said the symbolic victory must be matched by concrete economic changes, particularly through deeper regional integration and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“ITUC-Africa wants to see the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) translated from agreements and declarations into practical benefits,” the statement said.
It called for greater regional integration, increased intra-African trade, improved infrastructure and freer and safer mobility for workers and people across the continent.
The labour organisation also urged African governments to dismantle administrative, transport and financial barriers that continue to fragment African economies and restrict cooperation among its people.
ITUC-Africa said correcting the geographical representation of Africa should also prompt a deeper examination of what it described as the continent’s “economic map”.
It questioned who owns and controls Africa’s land, minerals, energy systems, technology, finance and productive assets, noting that despite the continent’s vast size and wealth, inequality remains widespread.
According to the organisation, too much economic power and wealth remain concentrated in the hands of billionaires, multinational corporations and politically connected oligarchs, while millions of workers continue to face unemployment, informality, inadequate wages and lack of social protection.
It said the energy and unity demonstrated by the “Correct the Map” campaign should now strengthen a broader Pan-African agenda for structural transformation.
Africa, it argued, must diversify beyond the export of raw materials, build strong regional value chains and develop its productive capacity, while ensuring that its resources are placed under accountable and democratic stewardship.
Ultimately, ITUC-Africa said, Africa’s true size must be reflected not only on the world map, but also in its global influence and the quality of life of its people.
It called for Africans to experience the dividends of integration and transformation through decent work, living wages, universal social protection, quality public services and greater distributive justice.
