This study examines the role of cultural tourism and place branding in fostering sustainable tourism development, focusing on community engagement, visitor satisfaction, and environmental awareness. Using Sustainable Development and Cultural Capital theories as the theoretical foundation, the research highlights the long-term benefits of tourism and the significance of local culture and heritage in achieving sustainable outcomes. A quantitative methodology was employed, utilizing Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyze data collected from participants at a cultural festival in Takoradi, Ghana. The findings reveal that place branding significantly impacts sustainable development, both directly and indirectly, through visitor satisfaction. Additionally, cultural tourism promotes sustainable development via community engagement, with environmental awareness moderating the relationship between community engagement and sustainable development. This study offers valuable insights for policymakers and tourism practitioners, emphasizing the integration of cultural assets and community involvement in sustainable tourism strategies. By exploring the interplay between cultural tourism, place branding, and sustainability, the research adds a unique perspective to the field of sustainable tourism development.

The purpose of the study was to investigate entrepreneur characteristics and human capital diversity as determinants of debt financing among micro, small, and medium enterprises. Additionally, the moderating effect of academic qualification and social networks is ascertained. Drawing on a diverse sample from various micro, small and medium enterprises in Ghana, the research employs a cross-sectional quantitative survey design. The findings reveal significant positive relationships between entrepreneurial characteristics, human capital diversity, and access to debt financing. Additionally, academic qualifications demonstrate an interactive effect, enhancing the joint impact of entrepreneurial characteristics and human capital diversity on financial access. Social networks emerge as influential moderators, accentuating the importance of external relationships in shaping access to debt financing for entrepreneurs. The study contributes to a nuanced understanding of the factors influencing SMEs' financial outcomes and offers actionable insights for entrepreneurs, policymakers, and financial institutions.