Government on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the elders of Numo Nmashie Family and Dzrase family of La in Accra concerning sites acquired for developmental projects without their consent. These sites were the Accra Training College at Mpehuasem and the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development located at Madina. Addressing the press, Madam Esther Obeng Dapaah, Minister of Lands, Mines and Forestry noted that the signing was to accord the two families the necessary respect as custodians of the land. She noted that to help resolve matters concerning land acquisition in the country, cabinet in July 2006 decided that all lands which had not yet been encroached upon should be given the necessary protection. She noted that cabinet also agreed that where land is encroached upon, the encroachment might be regularised by the Lands Commission subject to the preparation of a Planning Scheme and payment of penalty by the encroacher. She said cabinet also agreed that where compensation has not been paid for land acquired by government, government might retain 50 percent of the land and cede the other 50 percent to the land owners in lieu of compensation payment. She noted that the essence of the action was to release land for use by owners which would ultimately reduce poverty. Source: GNA