CEMESP and AREPT Sign Landmark Agreement to Boost Public Awareness on Asset Recovery Initiatives

Monrovia, Liberia: In a daring effort to promote transparency and accountability, the Center for Media Studies and Peace-building (CEMESP) and the Liberia Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (AREPT) have entered into a formal partnership aimed at raising public awareness around the recovery of stolen public assets and combating impunity.

The two institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Monday, May 19, 2025, in Monrovia. The agreement outlines a collaborative framework to engage citizens in anti-corruption efforts and promote responsible governance through a series of public outreach activities.

CEMESP Executive Director Malcolm Joseph signed on behalf of his organization, while Cllr. Edwin Kla Martins, Chairman of AREPT, represented the Taskforce.

Under the agreement, CEMESP will spearhead community engagement through town hall meetings and radio talk shows across Nimba, Bong, Montserrado, and Grand Bassa Counties.

These forums aim to educate the public on AREPT’s initiatives, encourage open dialogue on asset recovery, and highlight the importance of reclaiming stolen public wealth. CEMESP will also produce and broadcast awareness messages and develop policy briefs based on the community discussions to support advocacy efforts.

In return, AREPT will provide technical experts to participate in these outreach activities, offering in-depth insights into the asset recovery process. The task force will also collaborate with CEMESP in shaping the content of public messages.

The initiative is being funded by CEMESP through a grant from the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA). The support falls under GIABA’s 2025 thematic window on “Asset Recovery & Social Accountability,” which is aligned with international standards such as Recommendation 4 of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on asset confiscation.

At the signing ceremony, Joseph emphasized the role of public engagement in driving systemic change. “This partnership is a proactive step toward empowering Liberians with the knowledge needed to demand accountability and support asset recovery,” he said.

Echoing that sentiment, Cllr. Martins hailed the agreement as a strategic alliance. “Through this collaboration with CEMESP, we are bringing our work closer to the people. Public trust is key, and with their support, we can make meaningful progress in the fight against corruption,” he stated.

The MOU signing marks a crucial step forward in fostering civic participation and restoring public confidence in Liberia’s governance and justice systems.