Must the Belgian government step in against Go Church, as the VRT documentary says?

What the film left out

The line comes from Lawrence Odonkor. On 18 April 2023 a criminal court in Antananarivo convicted him of fraudulent breach of trust, dissipation and embezzlement, in a case brought by the church’s Madagascar branch, and sentenced him to two years in prison. His appeals were dismissed on 7 May 2024 and 28 November 2025. He has also been suing the church in Ghana since 2021. VRT told viewers none of this.

Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden answered in writing on 22 October: “Die vrijheid staat niet ter discussie” (that freedom is not up for discussion), meaning freedom of religion and association, which she called part of “the foundations of our democratic rule of law”. She did not say that any case, file or investigation on Go Church exists.

Belgium’s Constitution guarantees freedom of worship and its free public exercise (Article 19), and says: “Niemand kan worden gedwongen op enigerlei wijze deel te nemen aan handelingen en aan plechtigheden van een eredienst” (no one can be forced in any way to take part in the acts and ceremonies of a religion) (Article 20). Go Church’s activities are, in its own written words to VRT, all voluntary.

What has happened since the broadcast is administrative: cities, a university and private halls ended or suspended room rentals. As of 24 October 2026 no prosecutor’s office has announced an investigation, no court has ruled, and the IACSSO has published no opinion or classification of Go Church.