MANKESSIM: A young man in his early 30s was fatally shot by an unidentified assailant on Friday afternoon during an event marking the start of the Odambea Festival in Mankessim, amidst ongoing chieftaincy disputes in the Nkusukum Traditional Area. According to Ghana News Agency, the Odambea Festival, celebrated across 20 communities including Biriwa, Anomabo, Kromantsir, and Saltpond, with Yamoransa as its headquarters, has been overshadowed by prolonged chieftaincy conflicts. These disputes have prevented the festival from being fully celebrated in recent years. Despite efforts to rejuvenate the festival, including a re-launch in July by Okogyeman Okese Essandoh IX, Omanhen of Nkusukum Traditional Area, the disputes have persisted. Eyewitnesses reported that the violent incident occurred when a group involved in chieftaincy litigation blocked sections of the road during a procession through Mankessim. The procession, which included a bull for ritual purposes, was meant to kick off the festival's celebratio ns. The confrontation escalated, leading to the shooting of the victim, identified as Ato Kyinam. Police were present at the scene but refrained from commenting on the incident when approached by the Ghana News Agency. The tragic event has cast a shadow over the festival and highlighted the ongoing tensions within the community.