Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has weighed in on the ongoing debate over the arrest of individuals for allegedly insulting public officials, arguing that former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia's position on the matter is credible because of his own experience while in office.

In a Facebook post, Manasseh said Dr. Bawumia was subjected to constant verbal abuse throughout his eight years as Vice President, yet he didn’t sanction a single arrest nor any person picked up by the Police for insulting him.

"The credibility of Dr Bawumia's statement lies in the fact that, as Vice President, he was constantly abused and insulted for eight years without such arrests," Manasseh wrote.

The journalist, however, was quick to clarify that his comments should not be interpreted as support for abusive political discourse.

"NOTE: I don't endorse insults."

The post comes amid heightened public discussions over the arrest of individuals accused of making offensive comments against public officials, particularly President John Dramani Mahama and the First Lady, with growing calls for greater tolerance and the protection of free expression.

Dr Bawumia has recently urged the Attorney General to discontinue cases involving persons arrested for allegedly insulting political leaders, arguing that such matters should not be criminalised in a democratic society.

He has also ordered for the discontinuation of a case involving an NDC executive who was arrested for making some defamatory comments about the former Veep and current flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party.

Manasseh's comments have since sparked reactions on social media with many users debating the balance between protecting freedom of expression and promoting responsible public discourse.