The stage is now set for the Bukom Jama Gala, the festive cheer-sporting series of events that will see traditional musical groups from the Jamestown and Chorkor neighbourhoods spar in monthly entertainment face-offs aimed at causing some cultural revival in the Ga Mashie community.

Poised to become a must-attend fixture on the cultural calendar, the galas which comes off every last Monday of the month for the next ten months when it dovetails into the full blown Bukom Jama Festival, will commence at Bukom Square on Monday October 3, 2011 at 4pm. It will, however, be preceded with a brass band parade from the Lighthouse to Bukom Sq., the heart of the community at 3pm.

Speaking at a community meeting where a ballot was held to draw the groups that will compete against each other in an initial ‘Round of Sixteen’, event organizer PaJohn Dadson said ‘It will be an atmospheric event with much revelry, and besides the infectious music, there will also be plenty of authentic Ga kenkey and fish; smoked, fried, grilled and even fresh ones, available for punters to enjoy.’

When the die was cast after the balloting the following group schedule emerged. Schedule I, which will compete on October 3 comprised of Sonkpakpaa, Ayrada ‘7’, Ananse, Planet from Jamestown, and from Chorkor, Lucky ‘7’, Hunter ‘6’, Man U, Texaco; while schedule II which will face each other on Monday October 31 comprised Jamestown’s team, Ashawo, Rainbow, Gbe Ohe, ‘Ghana’, and Atselee, Aformli, Agent, Alanmli from Chorkor.

After going through the ‘Round of 16’ where 8 groups will be eliminated, the remaining eight will then move to the quarter final, where again, another four will be eliminated, and the remaining four will go into the semi-final rounds to decide the top four groups. They will then compete in the grand finale at the Bukom Jama Festival in June 2012 to determine first to forth positions.

Supported by the Ga Mashie Developement Agency, the Bukom Jama Gala is organised by Bentsifi-Accra Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) with funding from the Ghana Denmark Cultural Fund.