News Investigators/ The African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) has commended Togo for spearheading a United Nations resolution correcting Africa’s geographical representation.
Joel Odigie, General Secretary of ITUC-Africa, made this known in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday.
Mr Odigie said the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution promoting the Equal Earth map projection, which more accurately represents Africa’s geographical size and importance.
He said the resolution, spearheaded by Togo and supported by the African Union, received overwhelming backing, with 164 UN member states voting for its adoption.
According to him, Togo’s leadership demonstrated that African countries could influence global debates and institutions when they acted with unity, confidence, determination and clarity.
“ITUC-Africa commends the Government and people of Togo for the Pan-African spirit, determination and leadership demonstrated in advancing this historic and important initiative,” he said.
Mr Odigie said the widespread use of the Mercator projection had, for centuries, visually diminished Africa while disproportionately enlarging parts of Europe and North America.
He said the distortion went beyond cartography, noting that maps influenced 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 for Africa and its peoples,” he said.
Mr Odigie said Africa’s true geographical size reflected its vast possibilities, including its growing population, strategic resources, productive capacity and expanding workforce.
He said the development should serve as a clarion call for Africans to recognise their collective strengths and deploy them towards shared development and prosperity.
The ITUC-Africa scribe said the African Continental Free Trade Area must move beyond agreements and declarations to deliver practical benefits for workers and ordinary Africans.
“Africa needs greater regional integration, increased intra-African trade, improved infrastructure and freer, safer mobility for workers and people,” he said.
He urged African governments to dismantle administrative, transport and financial barriers that continued to fragment economies and restrict cooperation among African peoples.
Mr Odigie said correcting Africa’s geographical map should also compel Africans to examine ownership and control of land, minerals, energy, technology, finance and productive assets.
He said inequality remained widespread despite Africa’s enormous wealth, while millions of workers faced unemployment, informality, inadequate wages and limited social protection.
“The energy and unity demonstrated through the ‘Correct the Map’ campaign must now embolden a broader Pan-African agenda for structural transformation,” he said.
He urged African leaders to diversify beyond raw material exports, build regional value chains and strengthen productive capacities under accountable and democratic stewardship.
According to him, Africa’s true size must ultimately be reflected not only on global maps, but also in its influence and improved living standards.
“Ordinary people must experience the dividends of African integration and transformation through decent work, living wages, universal social protection and quality public services,” he said.
Mr Odigie congratulated Togo, the African Union and other stakeholders who championed the resolution, describing the achievement as a significant Pan-African victory.
“Africa has been restored to its proper scale on the map. The greater task is ensuring its workers and peoples occupy their rightful place,” he said.
NAN