Bukom, an Accra city centre may be wallowing in poverty, but that condition, no matter how harsh it is, does not prevent the natives from engaging in exciting and self fulfilling activities. Noted for its boxing exploits, Bukom has carved a niche for itself in a local brand of music called 'jama'. The inhabitants have lately been engrossed in the magic wand of the Bukom Jama Gala which is powered by the Accra Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB) and headed by PaJohn Bentsifi Dadson. The gala which started last month is aimed at reviving the tourism potential of this once tourism hub and saw six groups locking horns in the very first edition of the competition. Man ‘U’ was adjudged winners of a hotly contested jama competition, beating Lucky ‘7’ from Chorkor and Planet and Sonkpakpaa from Jamestown, setting the stage for another exciting battle Monday night. The Mayor of Accra, Mr Alfred Vanderpuije and one of his predecessors, Nat Nuno Amarteifio were in attendance. Out of eight groups billed to compete on the night, four showed up, psyched and ready to prove their wits to the hundreds who had converged at the popular Bukom Square. The various groups accompanied by a brass-band paraded the streets of Ga Mashie, including the Lighthouse and the Mantse Agbonaa and later converged at the Bukom Square. When the competition took stage, Ashawo were first to set the ball rolling. They were followed by Rainbow, Gbeohe and Alanmli. The four groups lit up the entire Bukom Square with energy filled songs and was just a sight to behold. Some of the songs held unique messages that called on the inhabitants to keep their surroundings clean at all times- a message that was re-echoed by the Mayor of Accra in a short speech at the event. After rounds of heart-throbbing singing and dancing, the four groups were judged based on their appearance, stagecraft, lyrical content and audience response. When the results were tabulated, Rainbow stood tall. It was obvious that their stagecraft saw them pull interesting stunts at the open-air performing groups; the slept on mats with another carrying a goat onto the ‘stage’. Although Rainbow was crowned winners on the night, the four have qualified for the next stage of the competition. The next round of the competition comes off on December 26 at the same venue.