With his government embroiled in claims of commercialising the presidency, Akufo-Addo has shared a light-hearted moment on the matter.

The President who was the special guest at Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) ball Friday night said, he hoped nobody paid any money to have dinner with him.

The comment was in reference to the controversy involving the Ministry of Trades and Industry and some expatriate business owners who paid cash to sit close to the president at an Awards ceremony on December 8.

In the saga which could become a subject of parliamentary inquiry, the Trades Ministry partnered a private event agency which asked interested persons to pay between $15,000 and $100,000 for a seat at a presidential dinner.

The agency, Millennium Excellence Foundation, has admitted it printed the prices as part of its sponsorship packages but denied actually collecting the monies.

Photo: Akufo-Addo at the  Ghana Expatriate Business Awards

Though the Presidency exonerated the Ministry of any wrongdoing, the Minority is incensed by the claims and have petitioned the Speaker of Parliament for a probe.

Appearing at another dinner since the December 8 event, President Nana Akufo-Addo appeared to put some humour into the politics.

"I hope that it will not be said that I asked people to pay a 1,500 cedis to come and have dinner with me tonight."

The President said he may become a "subject of parliamentary inquiry" if it emerges he supervised the collection of cash for the MUSIGA dinner.

Parliament will next week hear a motion demanding a bi-partisan parliamentary probe after a memo filed by Minority Chief Whip, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, demanding an emergency sitting.

At the ball, President Akufo-Addo launched the Musicians’ Endowment Fund to guarantee a dignified life for ageing musicians.

Addressing members of the creative industry, President Akufo-Addo announced several interventions his government will pursue in the coming year to protect the industry.

Meanwhile, five musicians, AB Crenstil, Obuoba JA Adofo, Jewel Ackah, Nana Kwame Ampadu and CK Mann were celebrated with a Lifetime Legends' Award, for their contributions to the industry.