President Nana Akufo-Addo has expressed worry that "flimsy and irresponsible" allegations are being trumpeted to test his broad commitment to investigate any corruption allegation.

The President used the cash-for-seat probe as his example of an abuse of his promise to run an open and transparent government.

In the cash-for-seat probe, parliament is investigating claims the presidency was used for profiteering by a private company Millenium Excellence Foundation with the help of the Trades Ministry.

The probe is about claims, expatriate business leaders were asked to pay $100,000 to sit close to the President at the Ghana Business Expatriate Awards organised by Millennium Excellence Foundation. A claim, the Foundation has denied.

Saied Fakhry, Chairman of Interplast Group Limited has been mentioned as one of the expatriate business personalities who paid huge sums to sit close to the president.

But at his first media encounter for 2018, President Akufo-Addo has rubbished the claims saying Fakhry is a very close and personal friend who can reach him anytime of his choosing without having to pay a penny.

"I don't see why Saied Fakhry will pay money to sit by me", he told scores of journalists at the presidency.

Nana Akufo-Addo said the businessman has been his client for nearly 40 years. "His father was a good friend of my own father and he himself has become a very close personal friend".

A self-confessed lover of Lebanese food, the president said he has gone over to eat at Fakry's house because he prepares the best Lebanese food.

"I eat in his house. He eats in my house.  He has my telephone number  I have his. Even after I became president I have eaten in his house a couple of times".

"I would be amazed if somebody like that will think that he has to pay money to sit next to me...this is a man that can get me anytime of his choosing", he said.

It was the spokesperson for the Trade Ministry Prince Boakye who reportedly admitted Saied Fakhry, Chairman of Interplast Group Limited paid the money to sit close to the president.

The Minority has called it unethical and has secured a bi-partisan probe to investigate the claims.

President Akufo-Addo cleared the Trade minister Alan Kyerematen of any wrongdoing after he summoned him to explain the controversy surrounding the awards as raised by the opposition National Democratic Congress MPs.

The President said he is more determined to deal with corrupt officials even in his government.