bukali was born in royalty at mion to mahama ii, the yaa naa from 1938 to 6 february 1948. his mother, ayishetu, was a princess from kulunpke, a small community near chaazaadaanyili in northern ghana. bukali's first undertook public duties as the chief of kpunkpono until he was elevated to savelegu; one of three gate skins to succeed the yaa naa.