Former Ashanti Bekwai MP Joseph Osei Owusu says his reluctant return to party duty has helped steady the New Patriotic Party (NPP) at a critical moment.

He insists that the processes he has chaired have restored trust and confidence among party members.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Wednesday, the former Deputy Speaker of Parliament said he had deliberately withdrawn from political life after the 2025 elections and had declined to engage in party affairs, except on a few personal matters.

“I totally recuse myself from any political activity after the 2025 elections,” he said, adding that he was taking his retirement “very seriously.”

He explained that his resolve was tested when he was invited to chair the party’s National Conference at a time of internal strain and uncertainty, forcing him to reflect on whether stepping aside was fair to the party.

“The first one was an invitation to chair the National Conference,” he said, explaining that he asked himself, “Would it be fair to abandon the NPP in this time of need?”

Mr Osei Owusu said he accepted the role with a clear objective to run an inclusive process that would be owned by all participants and strengthen internal cohesion.

“I accepted to do it with a conviction that if it must be done, it must be done well,” he said, stressing that the focus was to ensure that “every participant will understand that this is our conference.”

He said that experience left him satisfied with the outcome, but did not expect it to lead to further responsibilities, until he received another call from party leadership.

“In fact, this one I wasn’t expecting,” he said, recounting how he was later asked to chair the party’s presidential election committee despite his earlier decision to retire.

He said he initially resisted the request, reminding party leaders of his status, but was persuaded by appeals to the party’s stability and survival.

“They said, ‘Mister Speaker, we know, but we think that you’re the one who can do it,’” he said, adding that moments arise “if strong people don’t stand up, the whole structure may collapse.”

Mr Osei Owusu said he accepted the assignment with the aim of delivering a process that would be widely accepted as fair, even under pressure and in the face of competing interests.

“I felt persuaded that we must go and deliver a result which everyone would accept, that we did a very good job,” he said, noting that difficult decisions had been unavoidable.

He acknowledged the challenges involved but said the committee remained guided by fairness and the need to give all stakeholders a sense of belonging.

“Once we’re satisfied with the committee that this is what we think will bring fairness, clear opportunity for everyone to feel at home, this is the way we’re going,” he said.

While admitting the task has not been easy, Mr Osei Owusu said the outcome so far has justified the decision to step out of retirement.

“So far, it’s not been easy, but I think that we have managed to build sufficient confidence among the party people,” he said.