MEDIA AS VALUE SHAPERS: VISIBILITY IN THE SERVICE OF PEACE
Kinshasa, October 15, 2025 – By awarding a Merit and Honor Diploma to Professor Jean de Dieu Désiré NTANGA NTITA, National Coordinator of the P-DDRCS program, the Association of Media Professionals for the Emergence of Congo (APMEC) has reaffirmed a critical truth: media do more than inform – they shape values and help model a nation’s collective aspirations toward peace, excellence, and stability.
The ceremony took place at the P-DDRCS headquarters in Kinshasa, attended by Mrs. Marie-Chantal LUMBA, Deputy National Coordinator for Technical and Operational Affairs, and Mr. William BALIKA LWAMUSHI, Deputy National Coordinator for Administrative and Financial Affairs.
A Distinction Beyond the Individual
The APMEC jury cited a number of key reasons for honoring Professor NTANGA NTITA: his academic expertise, leadership through dialogue, professional rigor, innovative mindset, community engagement, and open, inclusive approach. These qualities have made him a strong pillar in translating the peacebuilding vision of President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo into reality through the P-DDRCS.
In his acceptance remarks, Professor NTANGA NTITA emphasized that the award is a recognition of collective effort. “Whatever position one holds, we are all accountable for delivering results,” he stated, paying tribute to the President for entrusting him with this complex yet vital national mission.
Media: Essential Allies in Public Action and Value Promotion
This recognition event also highlighted a broader message: media professionals play a crucial role in elevating public action and reinforcing national values. Through this award, APMEC is affirming its place not only as an observer but as a key development actor committed to promoting peace and stability.
“Media professionals are not just witnesses; they are strategic partners in the stabilization process. Their role in raising awareness and showcasing positive models is essential,” said Professor NTANGA NTITA.
The success stories of the P-DDRCS are evidence of this transformation. In Tsere, Katoto (Ituri), and Tumbwe (Tanganyika), former combatants have laid down arms and taken up tools – hoes, trowels, saws – thanks to reintegration initiatives funded directly by the Congolese government. These actions fall under the leadership of Prime Minister Judith Sumiwa and are coordinated through the MIDNAC, led by Minister Guy Kabombo Muadianvita.
From Conflict to Construction: The Media’s Responsibility
Professor NTANGA NTITA concluded by calling on media professionals to continue supporting community outreach efforts and broadcasting the program’s field achievements. “Your pens, your cameras, and your voices are powerful instruments for peace,” he said.
Established in 2019, APMEC has awarded its tenth certificate of merit in 2025, underscoring its ongoing commitment to recognizing those who embody the President’s vision for a stable and emerging Congo. Professor NTANGA NTITA dedicated this honor to the Head of State, whom he called « the visionary behind the P-DDRCS », and to all Congolese citizens answering the call to peace.
Communication Unit – P-DDRCS
