President and Chief Executive Officer of the International Institute for Justice and Development
A
Lifetime of Service to Justice, Democracy, and Development
Benjamin Ngachoko has dedicated his career to the non-profit
sector, focusing on building and managing organizations, strengthening civil
society, and promoting democratic governance and justice reform. With over three
decades of experience, he has been a prominent advocate for democracy, the rule
of law, and pluralism in Africa.
Early Advocacy and Exile
Persecuted under the dictatorial regime of Paul Biya in
Cameroon, Mr. Ngachoko was forced into exile in May 1993. He spent four years
in Burkina Faso, where he collaborated with government officials and
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to design policies, create regulatory
frameworks for civil society groups, and empower citizens to engage with their
governments. During this period, he traveled extensively across West Africa,
providing capacity-building support to organizations in Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal,
Niger, and Burkina Faso. In May 1997, he immigrated to the United States,
continuing his mission to advocate for justice and development.
Founding the International Institute for Justice and
Development (IIJD)
In 2001, Mr. Ngachoko established the International
Institute for Justice and Development (IIJD), driven by his vision of fostering
stability and prosperity in underdeveloped nations. He believes that poverty
and underdevelopment must be addressed through a comprehensive strategy
combining institutional reforms, infrastructure development, and community
empowerment.
Under his leadership, IIJD has focused on tackling systemic weaknesses, reforming governance institutions, establishing independent and effective justice systems, and empowering local communities. In 2002, he pioneered a Justice System Reform Process for Africa and other developing nations, followed by the creation of the Justice System Reform Toolkit in 2005. This toolkit, now widely utilized, supports the assessment of justice institutions and contributes to the IIJD’s Justice Index.
In 2006, Mr. Ngachoko organized the inaugural International
Conference on the State of Affairs of Africa, bringing together
stakeholders to identify the root causes of persistent poverty and development
challenges. This initiative has guided ongoing efforts to address these issues
through collaboration and strategic reform.
Contributions to Democracy and Governance
Throughout his career, Mr. Ngachoko has worked with organizations such as the Group of Research and Education for Democracy and Social Progress (GERDES) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI). He has provided technical support for elections, trained election monitors, and advised governments during critical transitions to democracy. Notably, he supported the government of Guinea during its democratic transition and provided strategic guidance to governments and NGOs in countries including Mali, Senegal, Niger, Togo, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, Benin, and Ethiopia.
Professional Experience and Humanitarian Work
Before founding the IIJD, Mr. Ngachoko worked as a policy and financial analyst with Prudential Insurance and Boston Financial Data Services. Additionally, he has assisted numerous asylum seekers and refugees in finding safety and rebuilding their lives in the United States.
Education and Personal Life
Mr. Ngachoko holds degrees in law and political science from Ouagadougou University and Boston University Law School. He further enhanced his expertise with a Master of Science in Organizational Management program from the School for International Training (SIT) in Vermont, USA.
Currently residing in Palmer, Massachusetts, with his wife
and three children, Mr. Ngachoko serves as the President and Chief Executive
Officer of the IIJD. His unwavering commitment to justice, governance, and
development continues to inspire transformative changes across Africa and
beyond.