Introduction
A dissertation conclusion represents the final component of an extensive research project. It serves as the researcher’s last opportunity to communicate the importance of their work. This section requires a technical synthesis of the information presented throughout the dissertation, offering specific references to key concepts and establishing cross-topic connections. The conclusion should not be a mere summary, but rather a critical assessment of the findings within the context of the research field. Formal language and a professional tone are paramount. The concluding section must effectively highlight the contribution of the research and suggest potential avenues for future work. It should draw upon the evidence and arguments made, and tie them together to provide a cohesive and compelling ending. A well-constructed conclusion leaves a lasting impression and demonstrates a command of the subject matter.
Synthesizing Key Findings
The dissertation’s concluding section presents a technical synthesis of the major findings. It is not merely a recap of the research, but a critical evaluation of the study’s outcome. A detailed assessment of the effectiveness of anti-corruption measures in Ghana and Kenya must be provided, building on prior analysis. For example, the Public Procurement Acts of both nations, as discussed earlier, can be revisited in the conclusion. The analysis should not simply state whether the acts were effective but also address the degree of effectiveness, referencing empirical findings or illustrative examples from previous sections of the research. The conclusion must show how the results relate to the stated research question: do anti-corruption laws in Ghana and Kenya help to reduce corruption in public procurement? The conclusion must also draw together the comparisons of the two systems and show how they can be improved. This section should connect the specific anti-corruption approaches taken in Ghana and Kenya with the identified problems in public procurement and the overall research question, emphasizing the contribution of the research.
Examining the Impact of Legal Frameworks
A well-structured dissertation conclusion will assess the impact of existing legal frameworks. Specifically, the Public Procurement Act 2003 (Act 663) of Ghana and the Public Procurement and Disposal Act (PPDA) of Kenya, enacted in 2005, should be discussed. The effectiveness of these acts in curbing corruption in public procurement must be analyzed. As highlighted in the literature review, both countries enacted these laws to enhance transparency and non-discrimination [4, 5]. The conclusion should now bring to the foreground empirical evidence of their practical application. This includes reviewing any identified discrepancies between the legislation and its implementation. For example, if the research showed that certain clauses of the Acts were routinely ignored, this would be a critical component of the conclusion. Furthermore, it is important to discuss if anti-corruption institutions, such as Ghana's Public Procurement Authority (PPA) and Kenya’s Public Procurement Oversight Authority (PPOA), have been able to enforce these laws [52]. The concluding section should not just reiterate previously stated facts, but critically evaluate the efficiency of these legal frameworks in meeting their stated objectives in the context of the study’s findings.
Highlighting Commonalities and Differences
The conclusion also offers an opportunity to highlight the commonalities and differences in the anti-corruption measures used by Ghana and Kenya. As previously identified, both countries operate within similar legal and political contexts, sharing a common law tradition inherited from the British [38, 40, 42]. Despite these commonalities, the research should show that there are differences in how anti-corruption measures have been implemented in each country. Ghana, for instance, may have a history of more effective public declarations against corruption [1, 2]. The conclusion should make specific references to these differences. For example, the case of the Goldenberg Scandal in Kenya versus the Alfred Wayome judgment debt in Ghana [23, 30]. The effectiveness of these methods should be compared using the metrics derived in the main body of the dissertation. The concluding section should articulate how these similarities and differences inform the overall assessment of anti-corruption efforts in the two nations, and provide a path for future policy improvement.
Addressing the Role of Institutions
Institutions play a vital role in executing legal frameworks, making a detailed assessment of their effectiveness a required component of the conclusion. Both Ghana and Kenya have established specific bodies, namely the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) in Ghana and the Public Procurement Oversight Authority (PPOA) in Kenya, to oversee public procurement [4, 5]. The dissertation's findings on the performance of these bodies will be examined. For instance, if the study found that PPA in Ghana has been more effective in auditing procurement processes than PPOA in Kenya, this should be clearly stated and supported by relevant evidence from the preceding sections. The conclusion must explain why these differences exist. It should also refer to the role of other anti-corruption bodies, like the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC) [9], to understand how they collaborate or conflict with the core procurement institutions. The interaction between these entities and the overall success or failure in managing corruption within public procurement must be identified.
Recommendations and Future Research
A significant aspect of the conclusion is to give recommendations and indicate directions for future research. Based on the identified weaknesses and strengths of the anti-corruption measures in Ghana and Kenya, practical solutions for improvement can be provided. If, for example, the study showed that e-procurement systems enhance transparency [14], it can be recommended that this system should be adopted more broadly. It is important that such recommendations are directly linked to the research findings. The conclusion should also suggest areas where additional studies can be beneficial. For example, since the study compared two specific nations, future research might concentrate on the effectiveness of regional approaches to anti-corruption in public procurement. The recommendations must be achievable within realistic political and economic limits. The focus should be on the potential to enhance policy, rather than theoretical possibilities. These solutions should be clearly stated and should follow a progressive line of argument from the earlier sections of the paper.
Synthesis of Literature and Findings
The conclusion offers an opportunity to draw together the threads of the literature review and the findings of the study. As has been shown throughout the dissertation, many scholars have investigated corruption in public procurement and how to address it. The conclusion will restate the key theoretical viewpoints from the literature review, for example the agency model [74]. The findings of the empirical research will be compared with these theories, specifically addressing how well the established theories align with the specific cases of Ghana and Kenya. This section is not a repetition of past arguments, rather an analysis of how these theories either support or challenge the study's findings. For example, if the agency model of corruption is supported, the conclusion must analyze in what ways the current anti-corruption systems have failed to correct this issue. The conclusion should integrate the main theoretical underpinnings with the practical results, showing their impact on the understanding of corruption in the field. This provides an intellectual and practical contribution to the field of study.
Concluding Remarks
In conclusion, addressing corruption in public procurement requires a multi-pronged strategy, including strong legal frameworks, effective institutions, and continuous monitoring. This dissertation has analyzed the measures adopted by Ghana and Kenya, revealing both commonalities and specific differences in their approaches. The research shows that legal frameworks alone are insufficient to address public procurement issues unless backed by effective implementation and enforcement. Institutions such as the PPA and PPOA have a vital part to play, yet their effectiveness relies on the political environment. This study further shows the significance of transparency and citizen engagement. It can be seen that, while no single method can totally remove corruption, a mix of approaches adapted to the particular conditions of each country will provide the most substantial outcomes. Future research should explore regional cooperation and the application of technological interventions in promoting accountability.
