The World Bank has contradicted information by the government of Ghana over a $400 million loan facility said to have been given to Ghana. The Vice President John Mahama early Monday was reported to have clinched a $400 million loan facility for the construction of four major roads in the country. The loan according to the Roads Minister, Joe Gididsu will lead to the speedy completion of the Achimota-Ofankor, the Nsawam-Apedwa stretches of the Accra-Kumasi Highway, the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange-Adenta section of the Accra-Aburi road as well as the Sofoline Interchange in Kumasi by close of year. Barely a day after government trumpeted its success in clinching the deal, the World Bank Country Director Isach Diwan told Joy News, his outfit is yet to agree on a deal. Even though he conceded that the World Bank is negotiating a loan agreement with the government of Ghana over the four major roads, he contended that no deal has been reached at the moment. He explained the World Bank has already earmarked a yearly total of $450 million for implementation of various projects in the country, adding, “it is too early to say categorically” that $400 million has been agreed. He said the World Bank was yet to assess the details of the four main projects. His comments confirm assertions by the ex-Road Minister under the Kufuor regime, Richard Anane who raised doubts about December deadline given by Joe Gidisu for the successful completion of the projects. He told Joy News given the feasibility studies needed to be done by the World Bank he will not be surprised if the $400 million loan does not come in 2011. Government has however apologized for what it said is the mix-up in the figures provided. A statement released by John Jinapor, spokes person to the Vice President and who had early on put out the information, noted the $400 million mentioned was in reference to funds already committed by the World Bank to the Transport Sector Improvement Project in Ghana. The statement further stated that the USAID and the World Bank is committed to a total of $100 million to financing agricultural expansion, $40 million of which will be dedicated to the Accra Plains Irrigation Project. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana