Bukali's first undertook public duties as the chief of Kpunkpono until he was elevated to Savelugu; one of three gate skins to succeed the Yaa Naa.

[3] Bukali was ordained by the kingmakers of Dagbon as the 41st Yaa Naa on January 18, 2019,[4] following a chieftaincy dispute that left the Yendi skins vacant for 16 years.

This timeline was determined by the Committee of Eminent Chiefs formed by the Government of Ghana to intervene the dispute that followed the murder of the immediate past Yaa Naa Yakubu II that led to a 17-years long vacancy of the Yendi skins.

[6] On Friday January 18, 2019; the final day of the funeral of Yakubu II, kingmakers of Dagbon led by the Kuga Naa Abdulai Adam II,[7] consulted the Dagbon oracles to select a new king from among four contenders; namely, Yoo Naa Abukari Mahama; chief of Savelugu, Kampakuya Naa Abdulai Yakubu; regent of Yakubu II, Bolin Lana Abdulai Mahamudu; regent of Mahamadu IV, and Tampion Lana Alhassan Andani, chief of Tampion.

The ceremony was chaired by Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State in the Volta Region and President of the National House of Chiefs.