Chapter 4 while his party would not be the ones to'cast the first stone', it would'not sit idly by[when attacked]'. He added that'a tit-for­tat approach was absolutely the best way” to deal with the NDC if they'insist on physically attacking NPP functionaries and verbally abusing the flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo'(Essel, February 2012). Stating his opinion on what fuels this unhealthy verbal duel in the country's political discourse, one respondent noted that: 'In Ghana if you are a politician and you do not use words that can cripple your opponents, your supporters would see you as being weak. I am a radio panelist for my party, sometimes you do not want to react to some of these derogatory statements but then the pressure that you are subjected to by your own supporters would be such that you would have no choice but to respond in an equal manner. If you don't react, you may lose your credibility. 34 It is also generally recognized that all politicians have followers or supporters who believe and share in their ideology, therefore any language that is derogatory in nature would undoubtedly elicit some response from supporters of the individual against whom 35 this derogatory language was directed. For example, the NPP's Young Patriots cautioned NDC government appointees that if they continued to insult and use derogatory statements against their flagbearer, they would meet them'boot-for-boot' and in the same measure(Daily Graphic, 20 July 2011). However, this 'boot-for-boot' manner of politicking orverbal combat whereby leading members of political parties cast aspersions on each other does pose a potential threat to the peace and stability of the country and the consolidation 34 Interview with NPP Central Regional Communication Director, Cape Coast, 5 May 2011 35 Focus Group Discussion with Azorka Boys, Changli Tamale, 3 May 2011 115