Frequent news reports about armed robbery, murder and other forms of armed-related violence are conclusive that there are yet a large number of unreported and illegal armaments ruining Liberia . This situation requires a lot of concern, as the impact of armament on Liberia of the last 15 and more years has been traumatic, destructive, brutal and generally lacking civility.
Over this period, thousands of Liberians lost their lives innocently, millions were lost in destruction, and the cost of even ensuring a base cease fire seriously undermines any long term attempts to fight poverty. Howbeit, there is now a reasonable situation of peace in Liberia , occasioned by elections, a new government, a general level of international acceptance and cooperation, and the general situation of rebuilding. In this era, the onus is now on the survivors of the violence to take steps in ensuring that arms do not stop Liberia from progressing.

This has been the basis of the Arms for Development (AfD) program in Liberia , supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), for which the Center for Media Studies & Peace Building (CEMESP), is helping to evaluate.

Over a period of one-month, CEMESP has assessed the operations of the AfD, especially in terms of the public awareness component. This has been a large space in the working of the project, considering that people need to be informed of the program to help it succeed.

During this period, CEMESP have visited several communities within and around Monrovia , where public awareness materials have been posted, as well as in four districts in Lofa, Nimba and Grand Gedeh, where pilot activities have been carried out. In those communities, CEMESP held discussions with more than 500 persons of varying persuasion, which for one reason or another had the opportunity of acting upon the Arms for Development campaign. The impressions of these people have been cataloged and analyzed into determining public perception of the activity, especially that having to do with public awareness.

To date, the impressions gathered showed that some work has been done. The respondents however think a lot more needs to be done, in order to ensure further and total success.

CEMESP is of the further conviction that the Arms for Development Programme is poised to succeed, but likes to caution that the activities must attempt to be much more local. Locality is seen in several directions: implementers, public awareness materials, development programs, etc. This will impact upon the communities in a lot more ways, and inspire increased participation and cooperation in the programme.